Over the last month we have discovered some fantastic developments within the hemp industry in Australia.
Queensland Hemp Association AGM Last week Queensland Hemp Association annual general was held in Brisbane which was well attended by local industry stakeholders. A record of the meeting will be available soon on the QHA’s website. Some key points included the objective of the Association to have the QLD government enact hemp legislation for the state. Currently QLD is the only state that has the hemp industry under the Misuse of Drug Act. Also, the QHA will be asking the QLD government to support the establishment of industrial hemp as an approved carbon sequestrator on the ESG list of approved plants. The executive will be seeking a meeting with the QLD minister for agriculture.
Processing facility for industrial hemp fibre Also, we learnt about the Wandarra Pty Ltd project plans establishing a processing facility in the Townsville region for industrial hemp fibre. This is a major development for the industry and Wandarra have been working on this project for a number of years securing key processing technology, industry funding and markets.
Synergies with the sugar cane industry During my travels throughout Queensland I managed to catch up with 6 growers and viewed some of their crops which were growing very nicely. Mostly through the Burdekin region, where out of season plantings (winter planting) were producing great seed bulking crops for fibre varieties. In this region I saw evidence of important synergies with the sugar cane production system. If you are interested, you can read Jo Muscat’s Nuffield report on the subject on the Nuffield website which covers this in detail.
Fibre processing projects During my last 6 weeks of travel I have discovered that there are no fewer than 6 major fibre processing projects in the pipeline, right across the eastern seaboard, all these projects are in excess $1M investments each. With all this activity, we need the government to understand the significance of the growth of the Australian hemp industry and provide more effective support through increased research investment and provide a more favourable legislative environment.
Hemp Industry Cooperative Research Centre Another industry highlight last week was the stakeholders meeting for the hemp industry CRC bid lead by Professor Gavin Ash, Hemp CRC Bid Interim CEO from the University of Southern Queensland. With around 60 attendees we were given an update on the research proposals which the group reviewed. The content was well structured and comprehensive, which will be further improved before submission. The CRC presentation will be available to view on the AHC website. To date the CRC has funding commitments of $45M, if the CRC application is successful we can expect corresponding government contributions, with the addition of in-kind contributions we are looking at a research investment of $180M into the Australian hemp industry over the next 10 years. This is very exciting news for the industry and will set Australia as a world leader in hemp research, thus placing us in a very competitive position internationally. Only with an easing of government regulation and restrictions on the hemp industry with legislative review, will Australia be able to take full advantage of the opportunities before us.
August Council Meeting News
NSW
Jaimie Milling (president ihemp NSW) has been having discussions with Selena Sylvester, a Tamworth based vet who works mainly in the equine sector. Selena has been doing a lot of R&D into the use of hemp products and lobbying to allow for further use of hemp products for the benefit of animals, in particular horses. The AHC is very much in support of her work and she has seen a significant amount of evidence of hemp oils devoid of any cannabinoids having their own benefits on the animals.
Tasmania In Tasmania things are quiet during the winter. The Tasmanian government, which has been a great supporter of our industry, has granted the Tasmanian Hemp Association $100,000 to run a social media campaign promoting the benefits of Tasmanian hemp food to the community. This is an industry first and we are looking forward to a boost in sales of Tasmanian hemp, and hemp products in general. The THA has engaged Kingthing Marketing based in Launceston, who have been developing their marketing plan, the campaign will start in earnest in the next few weeks, so keep an eye on your social media. We have learnt that nationally there is still an oversupply of hemp seed, which seems to be the case in New Zealand as well. However, current expectations on planting area for Tasmania seem to be similar to last years. ECS Botanics have sold their food division to Ananda foods, and currently have their Tasmanian assets on the market.
South Australia In South Australia, it looks like hemp seed plantings will be minimal this year due to the current oversupply. There is news of a major fibre processing facility being established in South Australia with plans to grow around 300ha of fibre crops.
Victoria We are pleased see growth in membership for Regenerative Hemp Victoria, which is important for industry support. Here also there are plans for establishment of a hemp fibre processing facility at Pyramid Hill. There is already a hemp growers group led by Leigh Fletcher in the Barham district who are keen to be part of the industry and take advantage of the emerging opportunities, more of Tim’s visits with Leigh will be on the blog section. The Victorian government has at last passed updated hemp legislation which brings it in line with other states on less than 1% THC levels for industrial hemp. For some reason the Victorian legislation also included a tightening of regulations around licensing of the crop permit system, suggesting that perhaps they need to understand our industry a little better which can produce more appropriate legislation. The Victorian government did consult with the AHC and Victorian representative groups, but unfortunately did not take on any of our suggestions. Click here for information on current State legislation regarding hemp.
Best Management Practices Guide The Agrifutures supported ‘Best Management Practices Guide’ project is coming along well. In our most recent meeting last week, good progress has been made, with a contents list formulated and literature reviews being conducted. This major project, being administered by the AHC is being project managed by Stuart Gordon with a team of 8 supporting him who are all leaders in the Australian hemp industry. This project is scheduled to be completed before the end of the year with the production of an up to date Australian hemp production guide available for growers and agronomists looking to grow hemp.
Iggy is the Chairperson of iHempWA and founder and CEO of Hemp Squared, manufacturer of hempcrete building materials.
His extensive management and leadership knowledge, skills and experience in a variety of industries, contribute to the development of the hemp industry.
He believes that credible research, collaborating and sharing information with others is key to making the industrial hemp industry a success and a true alternative to current common materials and practices in Australia and globally.
Hemp Farms Australia is an industrial hemp farming business. With our base of operations in Queensland, HFA focuses on mainland Australia, providing high quality reliable and registered industrial cannabis seed suited for grain or fibre production.
Tim was the recipient of the 2019 Ronald Badman Family, Churchill Fellowship to further develop expertise in the cultivation, manufacturing, science and policy of industrial hemp.
He has travelled through more than 10 countries to understand the global industry and where Australia is best suited to capitalise on the future growth. He is also Managing Director of Hemp Harvests, who manufacture a range of hemp seed ingredients that are supplied into the food, cosmetics, and livestock industries.
Tim has also served on the Tasmanian Hemp Association board since 2019, and continues to liaise with industry and government to help foster the local industry.
Available now: 1.3 tonne of both Fibror 79 and Orion 33 Special price $4.00 plus transport.
The seed was imported in 2021 and has been stored well. Germination tests rate above 65%. Seed is also clean of treatments and so can be used for animal meal and human consumption.
Lauchlan is president and co-founder of the Queensland Hemp Association.
Since 2013, he has been contributing to Australia’s industrial hemp industry from seed to shelf, with improved crop success nationally.
He is focussed on developing successful hemp cultivars as the foundation for a successful hemp industry
Mick Andersen is the founder and owner of Good Country Hemp Pty. Ltd, a hemp foods processing facility based in Bordertown, South Australia. Good Country Hemp contract hemp growers directly, primarily in SA, and have processing lines for cold pressed hemp seed oil and hulled hemp seed, marketed online and through supermarket and health food stores.They also supply bulk hemp food products.
A qualified agricultural engineer, Mick started in the hemp industry in early 2018 after running an agricultural shed construction business for 25 years.
In 2019 Mick visited France and Germany looking at hemp crop varieties and seed processing equipment, and has travelled extensively both in Australia and around worldwide in his previous agricultural roles.
As part of our service, we provide full support on low THC varietal selection and breeding targets. Our years of experience in hybrid breeding is the key factor that translates to our clients’ success. Our great understanding and expertise and experience in varietal selection and adaptability to different latitudes helps to reduce risk of crop failure and save huge upfront costs to growers.
Hemp is arguably one of the most important superfoods in the world, with hemp seeds providing us with an invaluable source of protein, essential fatty acids and Omega 3 & 6 plus much more. Hemp has long been used as a food source and it is vital we reintroduce this back into our diets.
Hemp is able to replace the modern diet’s inflammatory fatty acids with the prefect balance of essential fatty acids bringing our system into balance.
Research has shown that to improve cardiovascular health we need to lower blood pressure, raise HDL cholesterol and reduce triglyceride levels.
Hemp seed and hemp oil in our food can contribute directly to these health gains.
Hemp has modest water requirements when growing, producing a fibre which is strong and long lasting as well as mould and bacteria resistant.
Hemp is said to sequester four times as much carbon as a standard pine forest and grows much quicker. Carbon is above all the most important and effective factor on plant growth and life and hemp rapidly stores carbon into the soil increasing the soil productivity.
Hemp is also a bioaccumulator and can be used for phytoremediation by extracting heavy metals and other toxins from contaminated soils.
Hemp has over 25,000 uses and hemp plastics are becoming a popular alternative to our global issue of plastic pollution.
Agriculture
Australian farmers are within grasp of one of the greatest opportunities in Australian agriculture if our government could relax restrictions on ‘whole of plant’ use. Hemp is an emerging crop that ticks many boxes.
It’s a crop that can be grown in all parts of Australia.
It’s a low input crop that benefits the soil structure and biota
It has rapidly emerging innovative markets for its many applications.
It is a superior carbon sequestrator
It is a versatile crop that can be wholly utilised, thus spreading market risk.
If you’re an Australian farmer looking to improve your land and grow a highly sustainable crop or just want to learn how to grow hemp, then follow our newsletter and stay up to date with all current hemp news and updates across Australia.
LEAWOOD HEMP RELEASES SEED SUPPLY FOR START UP GROWERS
CULTIVATION PLANTING SEED AVAILABLE NOW FOR THIS SEASON
AVAILABLE PLANTING SEED:
· ANKA
· CRS-1
· CFX
· FROG
· FERIMON
· FEDORA 17
· FIBROR 79
· USO 31
· FUTURA-75
· INDIAN
Our Top 5 Cultivars have been developed without genetic modification to grow and thrive in most regions of Australia.
Currently available:
ECO-MS77 is a robust dual-purpose diecious variety of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) bred for a longer internode length than ‘ECO-CHG’, high vegetative force, great capability of adaptation, greater TSW (30 – 32g) and very low cannabinoid (THC and other cannabinoids) content. This variety bred in Australia using a recurrent selection method and is suited to a wide range of latitude (5 – 53) for fiber production.
ECO-Excalibur is a diecious and relatively early maturity industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) variety suited for grain production in mid – high latitudes. This high-yielding variety matures in 100 to 115 days. This variety was bred using population breeding-recurrent selection method to pyramid higher grain yield and shorter maturity window. This is a female predominant variety with an occasional occurrence of monoecious plants.
ECO-CHY is a grain variety of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) bred in Australia for higher seed yield and low THC content that is suited for production in sub-tropical environments. This variety has desired traits for commercial grain yield in sub-tropical environments. It’s unique canopy structure allows commercial farming of this variety at lower planting density and is suitable for row cropping.
Currently unavailable: ECO-CHG, a late dioecious fibre variety suited for fiber production. ECO-CHA, a dual-purpose variety.
For further information visit our website or contact Adam Cantwell: adam@ecofibre.com
Forum Use Policy
This Forum has been created to facilitate the sharing of information concerning Hemp Agronomy.
It is available to invited members only and all information shared belongs to the members of the forum.
The information shared is deemed to be for the benefit of developing the national Hemp Industry in Australia.
Any conflicts of interest or concerns for privacy should be identified to ensure that participants can interact freely.
Jaimie Milling is a fourth-generation farmer who has been in the agriculture industry all his life. He has a Farm Business Management Degree and for 35-years he has owned and managed large broad acre mixed farm operations across NSW. Jaimie also has extensive experience in the agriculture industry both domestically and internationally, having worked in Africa, UK and Europe, as well as in Queensland and the Northern Territory.
He is the co-founder of Canna Hemp Care Pty Ltd, one of the larger hemp growers in NSW, with commercial crops of 20-to-200 hectares. They have strong existing relationships with hemp food and fibre processors and markets both nationally and overseas, and heavily involved in hemp fibre crop growing, marketing and processing.
Midlands Seed is one of Australia’s top agricultural producers of specialty seeds and food ingredients. With world-leading quality as our benchmark, our latitude, temperate climate, pristine air quality, soil types, availability of irrigation, and grower expertise allows us to produce superior products.
Midlands provides bulk supply of premium Hemp Seed for Sowing for planting. As an established company producing a wide variety of arable foods, we are proud of the quality of our bulk supply Hemp Seed for Sowing we deliver to farmers and businesses.