Ecofibre Industries Limited

Hemp requires good cropping conditions for optimum performance, although the plant itself is very tough and will withstand periods of drought, heat, frost and low fertility. For viable cropping systems, the crop prefers high fertility soils, (especially adequate Nitrogen), no waterlogging conditions (including flood irrigation under most circumstances), good drainage, near neutral pH (6-7) and reasonable soil organic matter. Conditions of salinity, acidity, low fertility, surface crusting, waterlogging, anaerobic root zones, compaction and poor soil structure will limit hemp yields.

Until recently, all developed fibre varieties in the world were bred in Europe and therefore adapted to longer summer day lengths than in most of Australia. This meant that fibre varieties flowered prematurely in all but the highest (i.e. farthest south) latitudes of Australia, limiting productivity and yield. Recently, plant breeding and selection in industrial hemp in Australia by Ecofibre Industries has focussed on developing varieties suitable to Australian production, particularly the sub-tropics where higher summer rainfall and summer temperatures implies higher production capacity. These varieties have consistently achieved much higher fibre yields than previous trials of European varieties.

Hemp seed is available in Australia only where imported or grown under relevant state licence and/or federal permits. Imported seed can be poor quality and expensive. Locally grown seed stocks are generally limited.

Hemp is planted using conventional seeding equipment, similar to grain crops, provided suitable plant densities can be achieved. Plant population is critical to crop structure, total stalk yield and bast fibre yields. Current recommendations are between 100 and 200 plants/m². Sowing rates in kg/ha depend on the seed weight count, which may be, for example, between 15 and 30 g for 1000 seed count. Recommended sowing rates (e.g. 45 – 65 kg/ha) need to take into account 1000 seed weight and Australian cropping conditions for yield relative to density.

In hemp crops in Australia, many pests have been recorded but few have warranted control. In fibre crops, Heliothis (Helicoverpa spp.), Red Shouldered leaf beetles (Monolepta australis), Green Vegie Bug (Nezaria viridula), Jassid (Batracomorphus angustatus) and Lucerne Flea (Sminthurus viridis) have been recorded. Fungal attack has caused minor occurrences of plant death in trials in Queensland and New South Wales and has been identified as species of Sclerotinia and Sclerotium, or White Mould. The infection has been more prevalent in clay soils or where frequent watering occur, creating a wet-dry cycle which encourages the disease. In no cases of fibre crops were these pests or diseases present in large numbers or at economically damaging levels. Root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) and other nematodes have been identified in the root systems of hemp in cropping soils where nematodes are known to be a problem (e.g. sugarcane areas). In some cases, infection with nematodes is thought to be the cause of considerably reduced plant yields.

Many growers are interested in the comparative gross margins of a hemp crop. As with any crop, there needs to be a market for the crop and in order to market a hemp crop it needs to be processed, with the processing taking place close to the region of production. These are the vital links in the hemp supply chain for producers and processors alike. A basic table of costs and yields is given below but inputs and yields will vary greatly between growers and regions. Growers should also take into account the cost of licensing and compliance in their state for growing industrial hemp.