Industrial Hemp Variety Trials Final Report – Manjimup, Western Australia

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AgriFutures Australia has identified strong growth potential for the industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) sector driven by its sustainable uses. The 2017 approval of hemp grain for human consumption by FSANZ has further accelerated industry expansion in Australia. However, the industry still faces challenges such as limited regional agronomic data, unclear varietal suitability and inconsistent production practices. Addressing these knowledge gaps is critical to realising the economic and environmental potential of industrial hemp. The AgriFutures Emerging Industries Program has invested in a three-year Industrial Hemp Variety Trial (IHVT) program to understand grain and dual-purpose varietal performance and suitable sowing times across Australia. Trial sites were established in nine locations including in the Northern Territory, South Australia (two), Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia (two), New South Wales and Queensland.

The trial at Manjimup evaluated the performance of 17 industrial hemp varieties over the three years with two times of sowing for each season in November and December. Varieties from Australia, Canada, China, France and Poland were tested. ECO-Excalibur, CFX-2 and Henola showed the highest grain yields (1,284–1,405kg/ha), making them strong options for this region. Chinese varieties like Bama, Han Cold, Han NE and Yuma had notably lower yields (545–1,044kg/ha) and are less suitable for southern Western Australia. Results highlight significant differences in adaptability among the varieties tested.