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Visiting our Sunflower regions?

Our community values safe and productive farms. We ask you to do the same by taking photos outside of the field boundary.

Everyone loves sunflower season, particularly photographers and instagrammers! However there are a few do's and don'ts that you need to keep in mind this sunflower season.

Learn more about becoming a responsible sunflower photographer before you head out to capture that perfect shot.

So remember, don't destroy what you've come to enjoy.

Photo by Mike Marrah on Unsplash

Can I walk into a sunflower crop?

Before entering any property, you must have permission from the property owner. This applies even if the paddock is not fenced. So please stay outside the farm boundary.

If you do have permission to enter, please adhere to the property’s biosecurity requirements when you enter, leave and while on the property. Complying with industry standards ensures safe, clean food and fibre production.

We all have a duty to know, or find out, what biosecurity measures we must follow when visiting a property to minimise biosecurity risks.

Photo by rehan shaik on Unsplash

What is the risk?

Visitors, along with their clothing and cars, can unintentionally transport serious pests and diseases. These can cause significant damage to farm production, need costly control measures to fix and create emotional stress for farmers.

Unseen and microscopic pests, weed seeds and diseases from your garden or elsewhere can be carried in soil on shoes, on picnic items like eskies, folding chairs and rugs, on clothes and hats, or on your vehicle.

Following good farm biosecurity is not just good manners – it’s the law! Everyone has an obligation to take an active role in managing biosecurity risks under their control. This means that you must take all reasonable steps to ensure that you do not spread pests, diseases or contaminants.

Photo by Johan Nilsson on Unsplash

Why is it important?

A farm represents a family’s livelihood as well as their private home.

Depending on the type of crop, it will ultimately be harvested for cooking oil, food for people or animals, fibre for clothing or may even be used to make bio-diesel. Protecting crops from pests or contamination is vital.

Photo by Elena Kloppenburg on Unsplash

What can I do?

It is recommended you call ahead of any intended visit to a property. If you are passing by a property, follow and obey signage, which could be located at the property entrance or along roads.

It doesn’t matter if gates are open or closed, or if there are unfenced paddocks – do not enter, unless you have specific permission from the owner to do so.

It is all about respect.

Respect signage

Respect fences

Respect farmer's requests

Respect privacy

Show respect by taking photos outside the farm boundary.

Be careful and get home safely

Farms are workplaces and can carry hidden or unexpected dangers.

Fences may be barbed or electric and you shouldn’t try to climb through them.
Many crops especially sunflowers have bees and other stinging or biting insects.
Crops may have been sprayed for pests.
Heavy farm machinery working in the area may not realise you are there amongst the sunflowers.
Wildlife such as snakes, foxes, wild dogs, feral pigs and other vermin often inhabit crops.
Uneven terrain and cracked soils can be tripping hazards.
Consider the fire risk of your hot exhaust pipe. If it comes into contact with long dry grass you could start a fire.
Plan your journey – take water and food with you. Plan your ‘pit-stops’ to coincide with public amenities (e.g. bathrooms and play areas for children). Farms are not convenience stops.
If there isn’t a safe place to park, don’t stop.

Top biosecurity tips for your country drive

Before leaving home make sure your shoes, clothing and vehicle are clean.
If you are visiting more than one farm ensure that you clean down before leaving one farm and visiting the next.
Do not move soil, plant material, pollen or spores from place to place – including from farm to farm, and from home to farm.
Obey biosecurity signs. No sign does not mean free access.
Do not enter properties or crops without permission from the farmer - farms are private property. Would you want someone you don’t know wandering into your yard, taking photos and picking your produce?
Stay on roads and only park in safe, clean areas. Do not drive through paddocks or long grass. Weed seeds can lodge on your tyres or in the car radiator.
Be careful where you park.

Park on formed roads, or in designated parking areas – even if this means walking further.
Paddocks and highway edges are not safe parking areas.
If it’s wet forget it. Getting bogged near a paddock is not fun, and you risk spreading pests, diseases and weeds at the same time.

8. Leave your pets at home. If you must take your animals with you, keep them restrained at all times.

More information

For more on your biosecurity obligation and farm biosecurity, visit Queensland Government biosecurity.qld.gov.au or phone 13 25 23.

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