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AHC President’s Report – August 2023

11 September 2023/

There have been some major developments this month showing that the hemp industry is gaining momentum, ...

AHC President’s Report – July 2023

7 August 2023/

Welcome to our July report.

AHC President’s Report – June 2023

1 July 2023/

Welcome to our June report. On the surface it looks quite in the industry, but there is a lot of work happening behind the scenes....

AHC President’s Report – May 2023

1 June 2023/

Welcome to our May report. Less than 2 weeks until our fibre forum at Deakin University in Geelong. Amongst the range of great presentations ...

AHC President’s Report – April 2023

1 May 2023/

Welcome to our April report. On the surface it looks quite in the industry, but there is a lot of work happening behind the scenes....

AHC President’s Report – March 2023

2 April 2023/

Welcome to our March report which includes a number of exciting developments for the industry. These include our upcoming AHC Fibre Forum, Agrifutures project reports and…

AHC President’s Report – February 2023

1 March 2023/

Welcome to our February report where for the southern latitudes we are at our peak pollination period for our hemp crops. It seems generally ...

AHC President’s Report – January 2023

6 February 2023/

The 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…

AHC President’s Report – December 2022

31 December 2022/

The 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…

End of Content.

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

Contact Lauchlan Grout

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.

Contact Mick Andersen

Dominic Calder is the AHC Council member for the Northern Territory. As the Diversification Development Officer for the Northern Territory Farmers Association it is his role is to promote and assist farmers with diversifying their farms and operations.
Dominic has a background in the horticulture industry in QLD and he is passionate about agriculture and the NT.

Contact
Dominic Calder | NT Farmers Federation

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.

Contact Bronwyn Blake

Click here to apply

Lyn Stephenson is the founder and president of Regenerative Hemp Victoria.

Contact Lyn Stephenson

Payment options

Calculating water requirements is a challenge and is likely to become more so with anticipated changes to our climate. That said, we need to make provision for dry conditions to make the best out of the crop.

Soil moisture as well as temperature at sowing are significant. A soil moisture probe will help you decide how much to pre-irrigate. Be aware that the germination and early establishment phase are most vulnerable to over irrigating. Close monitoring is required during the first 6 weeks or so.

Managing what may be a scarce water resource is critical and requires that irrigation equipment is well maintained and operated at maximum efficiency.

Of course everything has a cost, but a poor crop due to insufficient or ill-timed irrigation can be the consequence of not preparing and budgeting appropriately.

Opportunity costs identify alternative returns on the assets deployed. This is important to get an accurate assessment of the profit margin attributable to the hemp crop. If you are unsure what to include, please check with your accountant.

Soil Preparation
The surest way to have good germination is to have the soil prepared (tilled) so there is very good seed to soil contact. Hemp has very little vigour as a seedling so limit compaction as far as possible.

Seed Selection
Select the seed variety to fit the purpose. Grain varieties will not grow much biomass, and biomass varieties will not grow much grain, so pick the variety that best suits your market. Also note that the hurd from grain varieties is generally of a lower quality compared with fibre varieties, hence the market price for the straw will also be less.

Germination percentages are essential to know so be sure to get a germination test result when making your seed purchase.
For consistent hurd quality we recommend that you have the seed graded by size and sow the smaller size separately from the larger size.

Planting Rate
Get expert advice to set the optimal space between plants. This will vary depending on variety and chosen crop type. Note that hemp has an auto toxicity factor and slower developing plants may be choked or killed off due to close proximity to stronger plants.

The choice and application of any fertiliser must be based on a soil test together with advice from an experienced agronomist.
As a guide, hemp initially requires a similar nutrient profile as a Maize crop.

An agronomist can also advise on the best timing for both fertiliser and chemical applications. Note that fertiliser and chemical requirements may well change (reduce) with subsequent plantings so a soil test should be done each year. Crop yields can be expected to improve with experience.

Seeds sown at a consistent depth will give you the best chance of uniform growth and optimal results. Having the soil well prepared and irrigated are prerequisites for success.

Fibre and Hurd 2023

Hemp Buildings: 50 International Case Studies – Steve Allin

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

Click here to apply

Selected articles from 2020

December 22, 2020: Australia loosens CBD rules, but stakeholders say it’s not enough

December 15, 2020: New Zealand textile maker nears startup of hemp production line

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 15, 2020: Proper framework could boost New Zealand hemp, report says

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

Selected articles from 2021

October 5, 2021: NZ company to make CBD

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

January 27, 2021: New Zealand initiative to study potential of hempseed hulls

Selected articles from 2022

July 19, 2022: Creditors to meet next week over fate of troubled Australian company

May 20, 2022: Certifying of carbon credits can advance hemp among Australian farmers

March 28, 2022: Australian state to review hemp act as stakeholders say rules are too strict

Selected articles from 2023

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

For further information and to secure your order:
https://hempgro.com.au/products

Queensland

Legislation: Drugs Misuse Act 1986

Regulations: Drugs Misuse Regulation 1987

Regulatory Body: Business Queensland

THC at planting <0.5%
THC at harvest <1%

Licence types
1. Grower
2. Researcher
3. Seed handler
Licence term: 3 years

Costs:
Application fee: $506.75
Renewal fee: $202.80

Updated 5-6-2023

Breeding, genetics development and management

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.

Ph: 0427 416 479
E: info@hempgentech.com

ACT

Legislation: Hemp Fibre Industry Facilitation Act 2004

Regulatory Body: Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate

THC at planting <0.5%
THC at harvest <1%

Licence types
1. Category 1 researcher licences
2. Category 2 researcher licences
3. Grower licences

Licence term: 3 years

Date	State	Location	Time	Registration Link
Thursday 9 Feb	VIC	Hamilton SmartFarm 915 Mt Napier Rd, Hamilton	10:00am – 12:00pm	Click here to register for Victoria
Tuesday 14 Feb	NSW	The University of Sydney 12656 Newell Highway, Narrabri, NSW	9:00am – 10:30am	Click here to register for Narrabri
Thursday 23 Feb	SA	555 Mail Bridge Rd, Reedy Creek, VIC	10:00am – 12:00pm	Click here to register for Reedy Creek
Friday 24 Feb	TAS	Fairfield, Epping Forest, Northern Midlands, TAS	1.30pm – 3.30pm.	Click here to register for Tasmania
Wednesday 1 Mar	QLD	Mt Malakoff 1459 Springdale Rd Nundubbermere, QLD	11:00am – 12:30pm	Click here to register for Stanthorpe
Tuesday 20 Jun	NT	Katherine	TBA	TBA
Thursday 22 Jun	WA	Kununurra	TBA	TBA

Fibre and Hurd 2021

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

July 13, 2021: California group in grain, fiber trials; factory, biochar research planned

June 1, 2021: Canadian maker of mobile decorticator signs on customers in NZ, SA

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

Fibre and Hurd 2020

October 5, 2020: Turkish developers say their technology can strip fiber without retting

May 14, 2020: China agrees to buy U.S. hemp fiber; Can anyone supply it?

Fibre and Hurd 2022

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

Health

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.

Download “Hempseed as a nutritional resource“ – a 2004 study into the benefits of hemp seed.

Environment

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.

Trials conducted in Germany and Italy show that hemp biomass grown on contaminated soils can be safely used in construction materials.

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 on maturity instead of day-light-length, this cultivar is very versatile and can be grown three times annually in Queensland.

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.

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE

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.

Contact Tim Schmidt

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

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Stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the hemp industry across Australia

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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.

Victoria

Legislation:
Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981
Agriculture Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 (effective as from 5 April 2023. See Part 5—Amendment of Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981*)

Regulations: Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances (Industrial Hemp) Regulations 2018

Regulatory Body: Agriculture Victoria

THC at planting <0.35% – increased to <1% as from 5 April 2023*
THC at harvest <1%

Licence types
1. Possess, process, sell or supply
2. Cultivate and possess

Licence term: 3 years

Costs:
Annual costs $500 to $1,500

Northern Territory

Legislation: Hemp Industry Act 2019

Regulations: Hemp Industry Regulations 2020

Regulatory Body: NT Government

THC at planting <0.5%
THC at harvest <1%

Licence types
Possess, cultivate, process or supply
Cultivars to be grown must be from the approved list
Licence term: 5 years

Costs:
Application fee: $1,250

New South Wales

Governing Legislation: Hemp Industry Act 2008

Regulations: Hemp Industry Regulation 2016

Government Department responsible:
Department of Primary Industries (DPI)

THC at planting: <0.5%
THC at harvest: <1%

Licence types:
1.Cultivation and Supply of commercial production
2.Cultivate and supply manufacturing process
3. Scientific and research

Costs:
Application fee: $572
Annual licence fee $200

Useful Links:
Guidelines
Application Form
Licence Manual

South Australia

Governing Legislation: Industrial Hemp Act 2017

Regulations: Industrial Hemp Act Regulations 2017

Government Department responsible: Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA)

THC at planting: <0.5%
THC at harvest: <1%

Licence types:
1. Possession
2. Cultivation
3. Processing
Term of licence: 5 years

Costs:
Application fee: $1,181
Police check cost: $218 per person

Useful Links:
FAQs
Guidelines

Western Australia

Legislation: Industrial Hemp Act 2004

Regulations: Industrial Hemp Regulations 2004

Regulatory Body: Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (PIRD)

THC at planting <0.5%
THC at harvest <1%
Licence types
1. Cultivate
2. Harvest
3. Process

Licence term: 3 years

Costs:
Application fee: $368
Renewal fee: $136
Site Test and audit fees: $650
Additional testing fees: $168

Tasmania

Legislation: 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

Have you completed your profile, preferably with your photo?

While it may be familiar to you, other members will surely want to know more about your background and experience.

First Steps

Complete your profile by going to My Profile> Account. There you can update your personal information, add a photo under Avatar – Upload an avatar, write something about yourself and add links to other sources of information.

Once you’re done, go ahead and submit your topics or contribute to existing topics.

Any feedback or suggestions regarding the Forum structure or process most welcome.

If you have any difficulties or further questions please email me: bernard.thomson@australianhempcouncil.org.au.

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.

Contact Jaimie Milling

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.

Contact Wayne Saunders
Ph: +64 277 275 522
E: office@midlands-seed.com.au

Crop Permit AIHA PER85055 Fbr only

Crop permit AIHA PER85061

Crop permit EcoFibre PER86924

Crop permit Midlands PER87802