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  Industrial Hemp Variety Trials: Results from The University of Sydney Narrabri trial site for the 2023-24 growing season quantity

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The Australian industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) industry is a developing sector with considerable potential for economic and environmental benefits. Interest in the cultivation of low-tetrahydrocannabinol hemp has increased due to its wide range of applications, including as a super food and a sustainable building material.

However, there are several barriers to industry growth, such as insufficient agronomic data, variability in seed quality, and inconsistent outcomes across different regions and sowing periods. These issues highlight the need for comprehensive, region-specific research to guide growers and support the industry’s growth and development.

Within this context, the nationwide Industrial Hemp Variety Trials (IHVT) program aims to provide Australian hemp growers with independent information about grain and dual-purpose varieties suited to different production regions within Australia, including ideal planting times and agronomic practices in line with local growing conditions.

This report outlines the findings of the 2023-24 trial at The University of Sydney’s I. A. Watson Grains Research Centre at Narrabri, New South Wales. The trial, the second at the site as part of the IHVT program, consisted of two sowing times – 17 November 2023 (TOS 1) and 12 December 2023 (TOS 2). Four varieties were grown at TOS 1, being Excalibur, Ruby, Bialobrzeski and Henola, while 12 varieties were grown at TOS 2, being the above four plus CFX-2, CRS-1, Katani, Bama, Han Cold, Han NE, Ferimon-12 and Futura-75. The varieties trialled were both monoecious and dioecious. Crops were evaluated on plant density, height, root depth, dry matter yield, grain yield, water use efficiency and grain quality parameters.

Ruby and Excalibur were the top-performing varieties for grain yield, while Bama, Han NE and Han Cold excelled in biomass production. Ruby also showed promise as a dual-purpose crop. Both mid-November and mid-December are suitable planting times for production in this region, but earlier planting may improve resource use efficiency. Growers in areas with limited irrigation should avoid long-season varieties with high biomass yields.

This research is crucial for the northwest region of New South Wales, where industrial hemp is emerging as a promising crop for both grain and biomass production, as it provides valuable insights into the performance of different hemp varieties under local conditions.