Cultivating Hemp
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Benefits of hemp cultivation
An excellent rotation and companion crop, especially favored by organic farmers and those wishing to reduce their chemical usage.
High yields, with multiple uses
Short cultivation time Ü yield in 3-4 months
Improves yield of subsequent compatible crops, primary due to improved soil structure and weed suppression
Contracts few diseases and has few pests
Reduces pathogenic soil nematodes
Hemp fibre crops are characterized by rapid early growth and density of crop leading to strong weed suppression in healthy soils
Nutrient requirements can be supplied through appropriate planting regimes and organic fertilizers
Soils
Foliage left on site improves soil organic matter
Reduces erosion
Reduces eutrophication of lakes and rivers as a result of agriculture
Reduced expenditure on chemicals
Long history of cultivation across wide variation in climates Ü variety of cultivars adapted to different climates
Once plants have covered the soil, they utilize precipitation more efficiently than any other cultivated plant." (pg. 76, The Cultivation of Hemp, Dr. Iván Bócsa and Michael Karus. )
Likely ability to adapt to dry conditions
Possible to cultivate on marginal or damaged soils, although yields will be reduced
"Able to extract heavy metal from the soil in amounts higher than many other agricultural crops." (pg. 20, Cannabis: an environmentally and economically viable method for climate change mitigation, Thesis, by Marc Deeley. )
Gross primary biomass increments up to 23 t/ha
CO2 sequestration range between 7.6 tC/ha and 11.5 tC/ha
Hemp has already been marketed for its eco-friendly qualities.
NB. "Nutrient and pest problems must be expected when hemp is continuously cultivated in monoculture" pg. 135, The Cultivation of Hemp, Dr. Iván Bócsa and Michael Karus.
Actually many of the above listed benefits, could be diminished or lost if improper agricultural practices are applied to hemp, especially as land under hemp cultivation increases in size.
What follows is intended as a guide only, and is not an exhaustive description of hemp cultivation.
The majority of Australia is more equatorial than most regions currently cultivating industrial hemp, having a warmer climate and shorter day lengths, - this and regional soil types and climate factors need to be considered.
"The high self-tolerance of hemp could encourage the plant’s cultivation in monocultures. Therefore the following warning should be taken seriously: Nutrient and pest problems must be expected when hemp is continuously cultivated in monoculture" (pg. 135, The Cultivation of Hemp, Dr. Iván Bócsa and Michael Karus.)
Hence the importance of integrated farming methods, rotational cropping, companion planting (eg. timber windbreaks, and legume pre-crops can also be profitable crops), to preserve hemps potential as an environmentally friendly crop and protect its market advantage in the green marketplace. As a new crop, it may provide the opportunity to look at improving agricultural methods in general.
France, England, Germany and the Netherlands have all commercially cultivated hemp without the use of pesticides. Eastern European and Chinese hemp fabrics have been shown to be free of harmful substances and in accordance with standards established by the Natural Textile Association (Arbeitskreis Naturtextilien)
50-70 cm of precipitation are recommended for good plant growth and high yields, with 25-30 cm of that being during the vegetative period, or other adequate water, such as a water table within a metre of the surface.
However hemp has shown reasonable yields in dry land farming trials. If irrigation is used it is important to avoid flood irrigation on early seedlings.
Hemp will show higher yields in higher quality soils, with sufficient readily available nutrients, favorable water balance and good water permeability.
Hemp may react poorly to residual herbicides in soil, however with time it should be possible to develop a reasonable yield of hemp on soils previously damaged by chemical usage, helping to improve soil health, and supply industrial inputs for building products or paper, rather than as a food crop.
Nitrogen is considered the most important nutrient for hemp, which needs adequate readily available nitrogen throughout the entire vegetative period to achieve high yields. Including leguminous crops in rotation and addition of natural organic fertilizers if necessary can provide this. Excess N can result in reduced fibre quality and quantity.
Phosphorous and potassium are also quite important relating to elasticity and tensile strength of fibre cells or bundles and fibre quality respectively.
Mulches, seaweeds, fly ash, bird and animal manures, comfrey, rock dusts, treated waste water, lime, composite, and rotational crop choice, can all help improve the nutrient qualities of soils.
Agricultural information - (guide only)
Legumes, clovers, lupins will enhance nitrogen levels and organic matter content of soils.
Interplanting hemp with mixed tree species will provide wind protection, improve water balance and can themselves be utilized as valuable crops. Using plants such as native Acacias can also provide mulch high in nitrogen.
Tillage methods that retain precipitation, incorporate the nutrients into the soil, sustain porosity and keep a smooth surface are recommended.
Yeomans type ploughing can improve compacted soils, aerating anddecompating soils whilst protecting soil biological processes.
Crops can be grown with no-tillage methods such as espoused in the 'One Straw Revolution', by Matsuoba Fukuoka, and should be applicable to hemp production in the long term.
Hemp in the southern hemisphere temperate regions is usually sown between September to November.
A fertile astrological sign, during the first or second quarter moon is recommended.
Fibre crop approximately 80 kg/Ha
Seed crop approximately 40 kg/Ha
Planting at the higher density results in minimal branching, improves the quality bast fibre for textile use, almost complete ground cover and weed suppression. Wider spacing of plants allows for more branching and higher seed yields.
Regularly spaced plantings assist uniformity of crop qualities. Seed depth 2-5 cm is preferred. Normal combine seeder can be used.
Use of treated waste water for irrigation will also increase soil nitrogen levels (although food standards need to be followed for a crop intended for human consumption).
Cannabis is susceptible to a number of diseases caused by organisms or abiotic causes; however, as it is effectively a new crop in Australia, disease and pest prevalence is minimal, especially in comparison to many existing crops.
The inclusion of permaculture principles from the inception of hemp crop planning will avoid the pitfalls of broad acre monocrops and site habituation, reducing the threat of pest or disease development.
Mice are known to have a preference for hemp seed and this needs to be considered when storing seed. Also kangaroos may appreciate young hemp shoots, and theoretically parrots will enjoy the oil content of hempseed, however they don't seem to have discovered them yet.
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Certified low THC hemp seed is currently available from Canada, Eastern and Western Europe, China and is under development in Australia and the United States |
| The hemp growth cycle is regulated by day length and this must be considered when selecting appropriate seed. A Northern European or Canadian cultivar will mature faster closer to the Equator, providing less time for plant growth, making Southern European or Chinese varieties more advantageous in terms of growth cycles. However, cultivars will adapt to regional environments over time. Soil type will also influence strain selection, as well as the desire for fibre or seed quality. |
Seed storage
Wet or green seed needs to by dried soon after harvesting, preferably within the first 24 hours, and stored with a moisture level between 9-10%, to preserve viability.
Growth relates to levels of photosynthetically active radiation including heat.
Results of Victorian and NSW hemp trials have shown yields of 7-14 ton dry stem/Ha, plant height can easily reach three meters.
Overseas seed crops have been reported to readily yield 500 – 1000 kg seed/Ha, with higher seed yields being reported from newer cultivars
Victoria
Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances (Industrial Hemp) Regulations 1998
Specify the legal requirements for the production of hemp, these regulations form part of the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981.
Hemp, with a THC content of <0.3 %, can be cultivated under permit for either research or commercial purposes. Permit costs are $300 application fee, plus $95 for fingerprinting of those wishing unsupervised access to the crop, this person needs to have no major criminal indictments especially for drug offences. Otherwise THC analysis can cost up to $365 per DNRE visit who wish to inspect the crop three times for a fibre crop and up to five times for a seed crop.
Hopefully these costs and legal restrictions will be reduced as the crop becomes more common.
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