42 pages
Published: 3 Mar 2025
Author(s): Penny Riffkin
ISBN: 978-1-76053-550-6
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The industrial hemp industry in Australia is emerging with significant potential, driven by the 2017 lifting of bans on hemp seed for human consumption. This regulatory change has opened new domestic markets, with the industry’s value predicted to exceed $10 million by 2025.
However, for industrial hemp to become a reliable and profitable crop for growers, there is a need for greater knowledge, industry scale and production value. The Industrial Hemp Variety Trials program aims to address these needs by providing growers with information on high-yielding, well-adapted varieties and appropriate management practices.
As part of the program, a nationally coordinated network of industrial hemp variety trials is giving growers information on the most suitable varieties to grow in the current and future major production environments. Such a network of trials was identified as a high priority in the Australian Industrial Hemp Strategic RD&E Plan (2022-2027).
Key findings from the 2023-24 trials at the Hamilton SmartFarm in southwestern Victoria include the performance of 13 varieties evaluated at two sowing times. Results showed that all varieties returned THC levels below the Victorian limit of 1.0% for seed harvested and processed for food. However, two Chinese varieties, Bama and Han Cold, had tetrahydrocannabinolic acid levels close to the 0.5% legal limit for sowing. The highest-yielding varieties exceeded 2 t/ha of grain, with significant differences in performance based on sowing times and environmental conditions. These findings provide valuable insights for growers to make informed decisions about which varieties to grow and when to sow them under irrigated conditions.
Greater predictability around phenology and optimal agronomy, including sowing time, weed control, and nutritional and water requirements, is required to improve recommendations on grain and dry matter yields, grain quality, and the cost and ease of production. Growers are encouraged to consider the specific attributes of each variety to maximise profits in the southern Australian environment.
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