1MG FlippingBooks
Blog Post
Hemp research gives boost to emerging industry
Elizabeth Gracie
Researchers at the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) are exploring ways to manage the profitability of Tasmania’s industrial hemp industry for hemp growers.
The project is a joint venture between the University of Tasmania and the Tasmanian Government.
Whilst industrial hemp is an emerging industry in Tasmania, Tasmania supplies approximately 80 per cent of Australia’s production of low-THC hemp seeds.
The two-year project headed by the TIA will assess the benefits of using industrial hemp as both a forage crop specifically for sheep or as a dual-purpose crop for both grazing and seed production.
Dr Beth Penrose, a lecturer in pasture science at the TIA is leading the research efforts and hopes that the new project will build upon previous studies into the nutritional value of hemp for animal feed that was conducted by the institute.
“We are building on this research by looking at five varieties of industrial hemp and assessing the effects of genotype, grazing time and environment on the nutritional value,” said Dr Penrose.
“We also want to find out the impact that grazing has on the yield of hemp seeds, and whether it could potentially increase the yield and the overall value of the crop”.
Initial trial sites will be established in North West Tasmania however as industrial hemp is not yet legal in Tasmania, the trials will only simulate grazing patterns by manually cutting the crops at different heights.
President of the Tasmanian Hemp Association (THA) Tim Schmidt, said that research on the applications and uses of industrial hemp was crucial to the long term success of the growing emerging industry.
“With Tasmania currently supplying over 80 per cent of Australia’s hemp seed for food, and having assisted in establishing a good industry foundation in the State, the THA is pleased to be able to support TIA and UTAS with growers funds to conduct new relevant research for the industry which will help foster a profitable industrial hemp industry for Australian farmers,” said Schmidt.
The project will also bring aboard local licensed farmers in an effort to increase the value of the hemp crop and the profitability of Tasmania’s industrial hemp industry for farmers.
NEWS
Innovation, technological solutions and teamwork – those were the themes that comprised the first GrowHer ag-tech event in Rockhampton this week.
Following the biggest first day crowds in decades, it’s officially Day 2 of the 2025 Sydney Royal Easter Show (the Show) and excitement is only building!
New Zealand farmers are well-accustomed to turning sunlight into food and fibre. Now, as Mike Casey writes, there’s an opportunity to turn that sunlight into something else that will benefit New Zealand and the rural sector: renewable electricity.
John Deere has announced new automation and efficiency updates on 2026 model combine harvesters that provide more capabilities and boost productivity by up to 20%* on Australian farms.
With efficient and lower emission energy solutions uppermost on farmers’ minds, ELGAS is committed to working with Australia's agricultural sector with LPG.
Following from another record year for beef production and exports, we anticipate opportunities for Australian beef to continue into 2025, especially in markets like the US which is in a cattle herd rebuild and was our number one export destination for beef in 2024.
A selection of The Australian Farmer Sponsors - Click on a banner below to find out more...
CONTACT US
Phone: +61 2 9884 9660
solutions@onemandate.com
LET’S CONNECT
SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER
