January 2023
AHC President’s Report – January 2023Welcome to our first report for 2023, a year in which we are looking forward to major developments for the Australian Hemp industry.
Seasonal conditions this year have been quite challenging, given
December 2023
AHC Presidents Report – December 2022The coming year is going to be a big one for the Australian hemp industry.
If you are interested in what’s happening in the Australian fibre industry, then you need to attend
November 2022
AHC Presidents Report – November 2022Leading 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
October 2022
AHC Presidents Report – October 2022 Right across the country the weather continues to be unusually wet causing all sorts of issues for cropping including delayed sowings and wet harvests. This could play out to be problematic for
The Australian Hemp Council’s team caught up with Iggy Van from Hemp Squared to chat about building with hemp, the potential demand as well as the benefits, and how Hemp Squared are
September 2022
AHC President’s Report – September 2022At our last meeting we had the AHC AGM, the membership and executive remained the same being:
Tim Schmidt – AHC President and Tasmanian Hemp Association rep.
Gail Stubber – AHC Vice
Tim Schmidt stopped in to meet with Karen Kirkby, a member from the Department of Primary Industries, looking into Pathogen Resistance within the hemp industry in Australia among many other areas of interest.
The image featuring the two
The Hemp CRC Partner Workshop took place last month, featuring workshops with discussion and presentations from the program leads regarding the future of hemp in Australia. The focus on hemp includes the sectors Hemp for Health, Hemp Production,
August 2022
AHC President’s Report – August 2022Over 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
July 2022
Welcome to our very first Australian Hemp Council newsletterOver the last two years the AHC has been busy developing a national representative framework for Australian hemp farmers and processors. We have already achieved some major milestones for
October 31, 2025: An Australian hemp milestone: Trial results shed light on which varieties work where
August 21, 2025: Australian inquiry spotlights hemp’s promise for housing, farming and climate goals
July 28, 2025: New report to showcase potential of Australia, New Zealand in hemp sectors
May 21, 2025: Australia eases rules on hemp in animal nutrition, clears path for compliant products
April 28, 2025: Australian state proposes hemp reforms to boost market access, develop supply chain
April 24, 2025: Australian hemp group seeks clarity on animal nutrition rules, enforcement delays
April 11, 2025: Leadership change at Australian Hemp Council as President Tim Schmidt steps down
February 27, 2025: New Zealand medical marijuana, CBD maker in receivership as Australian plan goes awry
February 21, 2025: Government review sparks hope for New Zealand’s stalled industrial hemp industry
November 4, 2025: New Zealand fiber-materials venture shifts processing line to streamline production logistics
November 3, 2025: Turning waste streams and sustainable fibers into high-performance building materials
October 6, 2025: Two Ukrainian hemp companies win EU-backed innovation grants for green tech
October 5, 2025: Popular UK design show gives hempcrete a major global platform in season debut
September 22, 2025: ‘Fiber became the anchor market that helped us pivot from tobacco into a new future’
September 16, 2025: Hemp pioneers built foundations for textiles through policy work and early trade
September 9, 2025: Australia hemp processor closes $2.2 million capital raise, gains strategic investor
August 18, 2025: Hemp products must combine sustainability, performance to serve mainstream building
August 7, 2025: Ukraine’s hemp revival gains traction as fiber processor goes online in Zhytomyr
August 4, 2025: Canadian hemp uniform project collapses as planned fiber operation fails to launch
July 17, 2025: EU-backed initiative in France aims to strengthen hemp textile supply chain
May 19, 2025: Cottonized hemp fibers could help reshape the natural textiles market, study finds
May 14, 2025: Study shows how compaction direction affects performance in preformed hemp blocks
May 12, 2025: Report shows hemp fiber sector upbeat despite structural and market headwinds
May 2, 2025: Standardization and smart equipment are essential to expanding hemp fiber production
April 14, 2025: U.S. hemp fiber hopes in China face tariff threat, doubts over long-term demand
March 3, 2025: Study finds hemp insulation viable, but industry needs policy support to scale up
February 12, 2025: Brazilian activists champion hemp for sustainable ‘revolution’ in textile industry
February 6, 2025: European natural fibers alliance merges platforms to create ‘Linen & Hemp Dream Lab’
January 28, 2025: Swedish hemp building materials maker boosts production with new fiber processing line
We are grateful to the La Trobe Institute for Sustainable Agriculture and Food for providing us with the venue for this event.
We have received significant support in our preparatory meetings which we would like to acknowledge.
Jeremy Thomas hosts the website Environmentarian. Its purpose is described as: Helping businesses grow responsibly with strategic planning and carbon neutral web hosting.
In addition Jeremy co-founded the Hemp Building Directory together with Kirstie Wolff. It offers a key resource for connecting individuals and businesses to hemp construction expertise and innovation in Australia.
Jeremy will be sharing his range of skills to make video recordings of our forum events as well as interviews with key stakeholders.
The AIHC was conceived and designed by its founder, Robert Bell, to both add value and to assist in the future expansion of the industrial hemp industry and its community.
Click on the link to find out more.
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May 23, 2024: Fiber comes on strong as Australian hemp fields double, stemming 3-year slide
April 3, 2024: Hemp will play role in UK housing development that aims for ‘exponential sustainability’
March 22, 2024: Development of insulating hemp siding is goal of $1.5 million research project
March 6, 2024: There is a modern path for renewable, plant-based materials like hempcrete to follow
February 20, 2024: Pennsylvania builder gets $1.9 million from U.S. Army for key hempcrete research
January 24, 2024: UK grant supports research of hemp fibers for use in sustainable electronics
January 9, 2024: U.S. builders say new standards can help push hempcrete into mainstream
August 14, 2024: Australian Hemp Council seeks funding to meet compliance requirements for animal feed
July 29, 2024: Australian hemp trials will look at potential for 2 varieties as dryland winter crops
July 11, 2024: As Victorian lawmaker waxes poetic, Australian state’s hemp legislation gathers support
May 20, 2024: Hemp bill in Victoria would reduce ‘onerous, confusing’ barriers, farm group says
March 19, 2024: Major hemp initiative in Australia abandoned as government fails to provide funding
February 15, 2024: Struggling Australian hemp companies strike a $1.9 million deal on food maker
February 7, 2024: New task force established to advance industrial hemp in Australian state
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.
We are proud to present our latest selection of elite industrial hemp varieties, the result of extensive RnD, breeding, and innovation. Our portfolio includes high-yielding grain, fibre, and dual-purpose hemp varieties, bred for superior performance, regulatory compliance, and adaptability across diverse climatic conditions including tropical, sub-tropical and temperate environments.
Key Highlights:
Upcoming Varieties: Next-generation genetics are set to enhance yield, processing efficiency, and climate resilience. New additions include:
Why Choose these Varieties?
Grow with Us
For full access to the 2025 Hemp Seed Catalogue, visit: Access the Catalogue
For expert guidance on high-yielding hemp genetics and agronomic strategies, contact us: info@HempGenTech.com
December 31, 2021: Interest in building materials rising fast
December 30, 2021: Hemp fiber valued for its sustainability
December 23, 2021: Model home is blueprint for sustainable, affordable housing in India
December 21, 2021: Funding will let New Zealand fiber venture ‘go farther, faster’
December 14, 2021: Hemp surging as an environmental alternative to other fibers’
December 10, 2021: European fiber, seed show promise; key derivatives seen bottoming out
November 12, 2021: New harvester yields hemp fiber suitable for flax processing lines
October 22, 2021: Pennsylvania opens 2022 licensing amid signals of shift to fiber
October 8, 2021: Missouri grants back fiber processing
September 15, 2021: Hemp takes a foothold in grain, fiber in South Dakota’s first year
July 30, 2021: Hemp included in New York program backing fiber production
June 30, 2021: First fiber processing facility goes online in Western Australia
April 16, 2021: Australian project will set technical plan for fiber production
March 19, 2021: Australian fiber processing startup completes fundraising
June 30, 2021: First fiber processing facility goes online in Western Australia
June 30, 2021: South Dakota farmers eschew CBD in favor of fiber and grain
June 28, 2021: 40,000 acres of fiber hemp fuels China’s ‘one county, one industry’ strategy
May 26, 2021: Canadian company raises $7 million, will develop fiber factory in Europe
April 23, 2021: Pakistani denim maker looks to Texas for cottonized fiber
April 21, 2021: U.S. fiber processor says it has raised $2.8 million
April 19, 2021: Italian ‘eco-leather’ is new use for dust from hemp fiber
April 16, 2021: Australian project will set technical plan for fiber production
March 5, 2021: Italian researcher says stalks from polluted soil OK for building, energy
February 15, 2021: Australian firm says it will bring HempBLOCK system to USA
January 13, 2020: Malaysian association sees fiber as first opportunity for hemp
January 28, 2021: U.S. firm plans March startup of fiber processing factory
January 25, 2021: Demand for sustainable textiles is big opportunity for hemp fiber
January 21, 2021: Italy’s Umbria region has ambitious hemp plan based on fiber
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 Hemp Buildings: 50 International Case Studies – Steve Allin |
December 27, 2022: Major projects reflect growing popularity of hemp building around the world
December 19, 2022: Factory for nonwovens opens
December 12, 2022: As war destroys homes, Ukrainian hemp builder keeps on building
October 31, 2022: UK builder says homeowners have moved into 25 new hemp houses
October 3, 2022: Large quantities, fast methods needed for hempcrete to meet promise in housing
September 13, 2022: Pre-fab hempcrete construction materials offer alternative to traditional builds
August 29, 2022: Hempcrete seen as part of eco-friendly solution to Zimbabwe’s housing shortage
July 29, 2022: Ahead for the industry: Fiber and food, sure, but hemp will be relegated to a ‘specialty crop’
July 14, 2022: South African project demonstrates hemp’s potential to upgrade existing buildings
July 1, 2022: Tests at Kansas university show hempcrete’s potential in net-zero buildings
Jun 20, 2022: Tennessee hemp stakeholders hope research will spur investment in fiber
March 7, 2022: Modular system offers framed hempcrete panels for faster builds
February 22, 2022: Italian project aims to clean up polluted land, turn out fiber products
February 7, 2022: Explosive’ demand for hurd in Europe is bright signal for hemp building
January 28, 2022: Researchers say hemp-based rebar could replace steel in construction
January 5, 2022: Polish hemp varieties lead grain and fiber trials in North Dakota
December 13, 2023: Overcoming stigma is key to advancing hemp in Australian state, lawmaker says
November 13, 2023: Research project seeks hemp varieties that will perform best in Australia
October 27, 2023: Study shows hemp plants enhance wine quality and soil in New Zealand vineyards
June 8, 2023: Stakeholders in Australian state say hemp can help fill gap after logging is banned
February 1, 2023: French and Polish hemp varieties stand out in Australian trials
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
Environment
HealthLegislation: Industrial Hemp Act 2015
Regulations: Industrial Hemp Regulations 2016
Regulatory Body: Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (DPIPWE)
THC at planting <0.5%
THC at harvest <1%
Licence types
1. Supply and store
2. Cultivate
3. Clean and treat
4. Research
5. All the above
Licence term: 5 years
Costs:
No licence fees
Note: The Tasmanian Industrial Hemp Act 2015 is currently under review. Click here for full details.
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Hemp Buildings: 50 International Case Studies – Steve Allin |
December 27, 2023: Year in Review: Stakeholders worldwide work on fundamentals to advance hemp building
December 15, 2023: Texas fiber processor again pushes back startup date for decortication factory
December 5, 2023: To expand hemp construction, combine latest materials and quick-build systems
November 21, 2023: Region in Italy gets funding to support hemp fiber supply chain
November 8, 2023: Texas fiber startup gets more money from city, extension on hiring plan
October 24, 2023: Will widely hyped Texas hemp fiber processor finally get its factory going?
September 12, 2023: Symposium will hear about pre-fab building components, visit large-scale hempcrete project?
August 21 2023: 11th hemp building symposium will look at carbon, science, technology
July 13, 2023: Hemp on par with wood in ability to capture and store greenhouse gas
June 27, 2023: Hemp can be substitute for polyethylene in packaging, Canadian study shows
June 23 2023: Hemp shows promise in cleanup of toxic chemicals used in many products
April 18, 2023: Canadian team’s hempcrete building is ‘carbon-minimal, beautiful’
March 22, 2023: Zimbabwe’s hemp fortunes hinge on diversification into fiber, foods
February 27, 2023: Hempcrete takes ‘important step’ in U.S. by entering international code
February 17, 2023: $7.4 million grant backs Canadian hemp composite maker
February 9, 2023: 20 hemp fiber processors now online in U.S., analyst says
January 19, 2023: Swedish developer plans largest building in world using hemp insulation
January 17, 2023: Scottish bank raises investment in hemp insulation maker to £5 million
December 22, 2020: Australia loosens CBD rules, but stakeholders say it’s not enough
November 4, 2020: Government continues its support for hemp in South Australia
October 22, 2020: Australian state of Victoria sets hemp trials at ‘smart farm’
October 15, 2020: Hay farmer receives first hemp license in Australia’s Northern Territory
September 14, 2020: Plan for over-the-counter CBD in Australia carries heavy restrictions
August 5, 2020: Australian researchers studying hemp nutrition for animal feed
May 3, 2020: Changes in Australia could make CBD available over-the-counter
January 31, 2020: Australian conference will look at hemp’s potential in wake of fires
October 1 2021: Australian stakeholders say black market for CBD is thriving
August 5 2021: Australian study shows hemp’s promise as feed for sheep
August 3 2021: Australian research team aims to develop new hemp varieties
June 24, 2021: Australian group buys 1,047-ha farm, says it fits hemp strategy
June 15, 2021: BOHECO to supply Australia’s SSA
March 16, 2021: Australian project seeks consultants
February 5, 2021: Australian group sets strategic plan
Midlands Seed is one of Australia’s top agricultural producers of specialty seeds and food ingredients. With world-leading quality as our benchmark, our climate, soil types, grower expertise and the local agricultural infrastructure, allow us to produce superior products.
Midlands provides bulk supply of premium Hemp seed for sowing (Grain and Fibre varieties), and is the only company currently producing Certified Hemp seed for sowing in both Australia and New Zealand. Midlands have been evaluating cultivars for local conditions since 2001, and a selection of varieties that have been proven in Australian and New Zealand growing conditions are available. Typical sowing rates are in the range of 35kg to 60kg per hectare, and the MOQ for all varieties is 350kg.
Contact Steve Williams
Ph: +64 27 553 0846
E: office@midlands-seed.com.au
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
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.
Click here to download their latest catalogue
For further information please contact us: info@hfahemp.com.au
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
Seed Pricing starts from $9.90 per Kg.
Please Call 1800 555 705 or Email: info@leawoodhemp.com.au
for orders & enquiries.
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.
For further information and to secure your order:
https://hempgro.com.au/products
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.
Tony Burfield has a BSc. in Biology (hons) from Flinder university, a Certificate IV in Horticulture as well as various certificates in community work and training.
He has 24 years experience designing, managing and delivering Hort industry extension and development grants ranging from ($5,000 to $250,000). The primary focus has been on farm trials and extension for sustainable farming systems (IPM, soil health) for soil based protected cropping on the Adelaide Plains.
He also has 15 years experience designing, managing and delivering vocational training short courses, career planning and jobsearch.
As the Deputy CEO of the Northern Territory Farmers Association (NT Farmers), I am committed to advancing agricultural development in Northern Australia. 