Leading up to the start of the southern season we have a few developments to report across the hemp industry in Australia.
Tasmania We have been observing industry consolidation in the hemp food sector, including the purchase of ECS Botanics food sector by Ananda Foods and a merger between Elixinol and The Sustainable Nutrition Group (TSN).
TSN, formerly Australian Primary Hemp, has entered into a Scheme Implementation Deed (“SID”) with Elixinol Wellness Limited where Elixinol will acquire 100% of The Sustainable Nutrition Group. With this is a loan facility extended to TSN for working capital. This is good news for the industry as the two businesses complement each other well. TSN had significant crop contracts last year with Tasmanian growers.
This season in Tasmania the projected area planting has reduced significantly from 700ha last year to under 100ha this year. This reflects the large oversupply from the last two years with better than expected yields from Tasmanian growers. This scenario in the hemp food sector is also been reflected on the mainland.
Fibre In the case of fibre there are some significant developments throughout the mainland where major projects are planting pilot crops this season to have material available for later in the year to supply initial stage processing. These developments include:
Townsville – Wandarra Pty Ltd Grafton – IKG industries Central NSW – Canna Hemp Care Central Victoria – Hepburn Ag Monarto – Vircura Pty ltd
This month the CSIRO hosted a seminar including presentations from a German/Belgian delegation of hemp fibre researchers and processors who discussed the latest in hemp fibre industry developments in Europe. The AHC will have the presentations available for those who would like to see the latest developments. To access this information email info@australianhempcouncil.org.au
Biomass Recently we have learnt of another exciting development for our industry with the utilisation of the hemp leaf.
RUST. GMBH. Natural Products is a private Swiss Company owned by Rudolf Steck. RUST has been developing a natural Fungicide Spray which is a globally patented formula. This is a totally natural spray, and they are hoping to eradicate the use of all copper sprays for future use and have growers revert to using natural products which are environmentally friendly, non-toxic to groundwater and bee friendly which is incredibly vital for our pollinators.
RUST is using Australian Grown Biomass from the eastern seaboard of Australia and Hemp Leaves is an important part of this product. They are looking to engage with growers of industrial hemp leaves through our hemp associations to conduct further outdoor trials and further laboratory testing with APVMA using different strains that may be available from growers in Australia.
It is expected, once product development is completed, they will require leaf from around 3,000 ha of hemp based along the NSW mid north coast.
Our preference would be to source hemp leaves from farms in NSW as our production hub is likely to be on NSW mid north coast. Once the business has been established, we envisage large volumes of hemp leaves will be required on a yearly basis. This will be an all Australian grown and produced spray that will be exported to Europe and the USA however production hubs could also be established in other countries as the business grows.
We will also be seeking assistance from the Australian Government for infrastructure and R & D grants that may be available along with private investment placements.
We are keen to establish contacts with growers here in Australia and increase the volume of Industrial Hemp production for our country. We are looking forward to talking further once you have further information for us.
Industry Discrimination
Stripe suspends payment processing for Vasse Valley Hemp Farm
In WA we have seen extraordinary action been taken by the payment platform Stripe. Without any warning Vasse Valley Hemp Farm had their online payment platform suspended by Stripe and their funds frozen. Initially this was on the basis that the sale of products containing CBD or THC contravene Stipe’s policy, however Bronwyn Blake, Vasse Valley’s managing director, has made it clear to Stripe that there is no CBD or THC in any of their products. After 10 days, Stripe has still not released their funds and have said they are not at liberty to give further explanations on how their policy has been contravened.
The AHC has taken up this issue with Stripe in order to support the growers here in Australia. We are in full support of Vasse Valley Hemp Farm and helping push the industry forward by challenging prejudice and other outmoded misconceptions. Similar issues are also encountered on various social media platforms.
Research Report
The AHC is in full support of the CRC bid for the Agrifutures project: Australian Industrial Hemp Five-year Program of Research. As part of our contribution we compiled a brief report on industrial hemp research which illustrates just how vital it is for the government to support the national CRC bid led by the University of Southern Queensland.
Hemp research around the country| Currently research for the Australian industrial hemp industry is quite feeble and urgently needs addressing. There is very limited and ad hoc investment from educational and government institutes currently being provided. The private sector is investing into the industry for both infrastructure, market and research development with very little support from government. In fact, from a legislative perspective government is actually being a hinderance to industry investment, including that of research.
Each state has varying degrees of agricultural support.
WA has been supporting minor research at Kununurra research station. The Margaret River Hemp Company has had support for trialling fibre processing, but not enough to bring about major sustainable development. There has been some world first research funded by Agrifutures into fodder for livestock.
In South Australia small variety trials have been carried out over the last few years by Mark Skewes through Primary Industries Resources South Australia, which has provided some good base data, but only very limited.
Victoria: Melbourne University has been researching hemp fibre development, but only very limited investment. Melbourne Water has researched use of hemp in cooperation with Melbourne University. The CSIRO has put some good work in on fibre processing research, but mainly because it’s driven by individuals who only get the barest of support.
Tasmania: private enterprise and individuals have conducted most of the variety trials, although with very limited funds Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture has co funded with private enterprises in various trials over the last 20 years but only very small scale. There has been some good state grant funding for infrastructure and advocacy development.
NSW: private enterprise has carried out the bulk of investment into research and industry development. State investment seems to be limited mostly to case studies, although lately there has been lightly funded work for research into pathogens and pests in hemp.
Queensland: no major research funding at all. Some small trials over the years have been conducted in the Atherton, Gatton and Biloela areas by one or two institutions and some case studies have been funded. There has been significant private investment into trials, however the QLD government has been of little or no assistance and more of a hinderance to the industry.
National Overview Currently there is overall investment of at least $20M into fibre industry development alone, projected in the next two years, through no less than 5 major projects extending from Townsville QLD to Monarto in SA. Unfortunately, coinciding with this is the shutting down and sale of the CSIRO non-woven research plant, a facility that could be vital for research into hemp non-woven fibre products of which there will be significant emerging markets. This lack of investment into research needs to be reversed.
We are entering our second year of the industrial hemp variety trials funded by Agrifutures. Both NSW and QLD declined to participate in the first year and only by persistent encouragement from Agrifutures and industry have the states agreed to co fund variety trials over the next two seasons.
The establishment of the Industrial Hemp CRC will bring effective and coordinated investment to the industry which has significant opportunities for development. There is an eagerness amongst all stakeholders to progress the industry from researchers, bureaucrats, growers and industry processors. The missing element can be provided by the CRC.
International research For the last 20 years various countries have been actively supporting industry research, and recently there has been major increases in research investment levels given the realisation of the massive potential for the industrial hemp industry.
Areas of most active research support include: Canada – having experienced good institutional research support and government funding, Canada now has over the last 20 years established a billion-dollar industry.
USA – The USDA has recently established a fund of major proportions to support research in the hemp industry. Since the passing of the US Farm Bill, there has been rapid growth in research and development of the US industry.
China – Although access to Chinese technology is limited, it has been reported that significant research development has occurred there, being by far the growers of the largest area globally, they have significant scale, experience and research advantages.
Europe – There is significant collaboration throughout Europe for hemp industry research and development. Recently a German/Belgian delegation shared some research insights with the Australian industry, this highlighted just how far behind we are in relation to these progressive countries and the need for strong coordinated research investment in Australia.
New Zealand – It was discovered in 2022 that with comparison of research investment levels, New Zealand invested 12c/ person into hemp research, whereas Australian invested a mere 1.2c/ person.
Australia is currently presented with an opportunity to establish a globally competitive hemp industry. Without the levels of investment into research proposed by the CRC applied, then this opportunity will pass us by. With robust research the industry will be able to develop innovations that bring about cost efficiencies making hemp not only a socially and environmentally sound option for growers and consumers, but also an economically attractive option.
We thank you for being a part of the Australian Hemp Council, helping us support those in the industry, when and where possible. As always, to be up to date for all information regarding hemp processing, growing in Australia be sure to subscribe to our mailing list through our website.
From everyone at the AHC, thanks again and see you next month.
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.
Dr Bronwyn Blake is a member of iHempWA and HempGro, and was an inaugural committee member for both organisations.
Bronwyn and husband, Chris, have been licensed hemp growers since 2014 and currently own and operate Vasse Valley Hemp Farm, WA’s leading hemp foods business.
An Agricultural Scientist, Bronwyn is well known within the hemp industry for her research into hemp forage for livestock and currently leads the AHC’s hemp fodder working group.
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.
Hemp Farms Australia is an Australian industrial hemp farming business. We sell hemp genetics for farmers in Australia and around the world to purchase for hemp farming, to harvest for grain (food) or fibre (clothing and building)
We currently have 45 tonnes of dual purpose Ruby available, germination 86%.
Ruby is an Australian industrial hemp cultivar bred in 1998 in Queensland, Australia. With the ability to flower onmaturity instead of day-light-length, this cultivar is very versatile and can be grown three times annually in Queensland.
Tim is president of the Australian Hemp Council and has been farming in Tasmania for the past 20 years. In 2003 the family purchased Woodlands a 350ha farm near Deloraine in Northern Tasmania. Primarily a beef trading and dairy agistment farm they also grow potatoes and hemp.
In 2016 Tim became president of the Tasmanian Hemp Association and has since advocated for the Tasmanian hemp industry. He stepped down as THA president at the AGM on 2 September 2022.
Tim also sits on the TFGA Meat Council, is a longstanding chairman of the Deloraine Landcare Group, past chairman of the Meander Valley Council NRM committee and committee member of the Meander Valley Water Users.
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.