Farmers interested in growing hemp have been invited to attend a field day at Nanneella to get some practical advice.
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Victorian Hemp Association (VHA) President David Brian said hemp was quickly gaining more traction around the world and the VHA is keen to see Victoria play a vital role in fulfilling the worldwide demand.
Mr Brian said Victoria had many ideal growing regions and Northern Victoria is particularly well suited with its ideal soil types and vast irrigation network.
To assist in educating potential hemp growers the VHA is holding a hemp field day in Nanneella on Sunday, February 22 at 10am.
Farmers and industry experts will be in attendance to share aspects of growing a successful hemp crop.
The day will include a tour of Dan Walker's 5ha hemp crop, which is Mr Walker's fifth trial crop in as many years.
Mr Walker originally grew hemp grain varieties and has recently shifted across to growing hemp fibre varieties, partly based on increased demand in that sector, and with the convenience of a hemp processing plant currently being set up in a former pet food factory at Pyramid Hill.
The hemp stalks grow between three and five metres tall from late September to late February. The primary products derived from the stalk are the hemp fibre, the outer bark or bast, and the woody core commonly known as the hurd.
Mr Brian said the hemp fibre goes into textiles and many other industrial uses like insulation batts and composite fibre replacement.
With further research and development the amount of products the strong hemp fibre can be adapted to is both vast and varied, even potentially being a sustainable replacement of webbing in tyres.
The hurd is the key ingredient used to build energy efficient hemp homes.
The hemp is mixed with a lime-based binder and done in a very similar way to rammed earth.
Demand for the hurd will increase dramatically as automated manufacturing of more cost-effective panels comes online.
With increased energy costs and fire regulations, hemp will be an ideal option for many new homes or even retrofitted to older houses.
Mr Walker said it was wise for him to do smaller trial crops as there was a lot to learn and get familiar with.
"When starting out, only grow what you can afford to lose," Mr Walker said.
Yarrawalla farmer Tom Smith has imported machinery from Canada to establish a processing plant at Pyramid Hill which would be geared to process up to 4000 tonnes per year.
Interested growers can book for the field day via victorianhempassociation.org.au
Dan Walker, hemp grower and Victorian Hemp Association committee member, with last season’s harvest, in March 2025.
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