An industrial hemp crop trial, currently midway through its growing period, has garnered significant local attention.
Around 30 farmers and stakeholders gathered on Monday, December 9, at the trial site just north of Orbost to share insights and learnings from the project so far.
The three hectare trial crop is being grown on non-irrigated land, offering an exciting opportunity to assess the viability of industrial hemp in the region.
The trial is being led by local farmer Stan Weatherall, who hosted the field walk.
He emphasised the importance of planting the crop early in spring to take advantage of higher soil moisture levels.
“Without irrigation, the crop is at the mercy of unpredictable weather and insufficient rainfall,” Mr Weatherall said.
“The cost of periodic failure must be weighed against the investment in irrigation infrastructure. “Fortunately, recent showers have been helpful, and currently it’s looking promising for successfully growing industrial hemp on unirrigated hill country.”
One of the key challenges so far has been wild deer damage to some areas of the crop.
Mr Weatherall is trialling innovative deterrent measures, including lights and sound, to prevent further damage.
“Deer-proof fencing would add significant costs to production, which could affect its overall viability,” he said.
A major agricultural benefit of growing industrial hemp is its deep root structure, which promotes soil health.
“I strongly recommend that anyone considering hemp cultivation consult with a reputable soil biologist to ensure proper management of inputs that foster microbial activity,” Mr Weatherall said.
“The full benefits to soil health won’t be realised for a couple of years, but the potential is clear.”
The field walk also sparked lively discussions on emerging markets for industrial hemp, as well as opportunities for collaboration and cooperation.
However, Mr Weatherall noted that at this stage, the pilot and its small scale is unlikely to deliver a positive return once production costs are fully accounted for.
“This has been a valuable learning experience, and I am more than happy to share my insights with others. There is certainly more to learn,” he said.
Liz Mitchell, chair of the Future of Orbost and District project’s governance group, expressed appreciation for Mr Weatherall’s initiative.
“There is a wealth of knowledge to be gained from the journey of growing hemp to its end-use,” she said. “If this crop proves successful, we hope to also demonstrate practical market opportunities for industrial hemp and further explore its potential as a viable economic opportunity for our district.”
