Industrial Hemp Variety Trials Final Report – Epping Forest, Tasmania

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The Australian industrial hemp industry is rapidly developing, driven by shifting legislation, increasing market demand and renewed research investment. Since 2017, when hemp seed was approved for human consumption, there has been growing interest in industrial hemp as a grain and fibre crop. However, the industry’s growth has been constrained by limited agronomic data, especially regarding regionally adapted varieties and optimal production practices.

To address this gap, the Industrial Hemp Variety Trials (IHVT) program was launched as a nationally coordinated initiative to provide growers with independent, location-specific performance data on commercial hemp varieties. This report presents the outcomes from three years of IHVT at Epping Forest, Tasmania, a key trial site funded by AgriFutures Australia and the Tasmanian Department of Natural Resources and Environment and delivered in collaboration with the Tasmanian Hemp Association and Pinion Advisory.

The trial at Epping Forest assessed 13 varieties sourced from four countries across two sowing times over three seasons (2021–2024). Six varieties CFX-2, CRS-1, ECO-Excalibur, Henola, Orion 33 and X-59 produced grain yields exceeding 1.0 t/ha, with X-59 and Henola achieving the highest results overall. Early sowing in late November led to better yields compared to December sowing, underscoring the importance of timing. All varieties remained compliant with Tasmania’s THC threshold, providing growers with assurance around regulatory standards. Grain-only varieties such as CFX-2, CRS-1, ECO-Excalibur and Katani proved to be well-suited for summer cropping, while dual-purpose varieties offered valuable flexibility for both grain and fibre markets.