EUROPEAN racing pigeons are eating Australian safflower like there is no tomorrow.

The market consumes 1000 tonnes of Australian safflower a year and is growing rapidly, according to grain marketer Ian Mack.

This year Australia is expected to produce 10,000 tonnes of safflower seed with market potential for 15,000 tonnes, Mr Mack said.

As a buyer for Adams Grain, Mr Mack said the pigeon fanciers wanted bright, plump seed without weather stain.

He said Australian growers needed a dual-purpose safflower variety to suit oil, meal and birdseed, and resist weather damage.

Mr Mack said oleic (monounsaturated fatty acids) safflower oil had the potential to replace the 30,000-40,000 tonnes of high oleic sunflower oil consumed domestically in Australia each year.

But growers and researchers believe safflower will remain a minor crop with niche roles unless research and development addresses agronomic, economic and marketing issues.

Growers are calling for shorter season cultivars to increase yield and reduce water use, reduced stem height, improved oil quality and increased pest and disease resistance.

They cite poor economic viability and markets for Australia's 31,000ha crop.

A lower protein content and amino acid profile of safflower meal mean gross margins of $550/tonne (delivered to Melbourne) do not compare favourably with canola at $770/tonne.

The canola boom of the 1990s and sustained drought has meant little research and development, with the last new safflower cultivar released in 1987.

University of Melbourne research agronomist Dr Rob Norton said safflower had received little investment in research since the mid 1980s, with average yields half those of canola.

Speaking at the 7th International Safflower Conference in Wagga Wagga, NSW, last week, Dr Norton said there was no dedicated scheme for multiplying or maintaining public domain cultivars.

"It is a minor crop with little stocks held in reserve," he said.

"The bird seed markets are small and easily saturated, and this leads to price volatility."

Dr Norton said safflower's later sowing window (July to December) offered an opportunity to replace failed winter crops.

A survey of safflower growers and non-growers in southeastern Australia revealed the crop was grown in the 270-750mm rainfall zones on a range of soil types.

Major growing regions include Rankins Springs and Yenda in the Riverina, the Wimmera and South East South Australia.