Research Continues into Industrial Hemp in the Northern Agricultural Region

Home 🞂 Newsroom 🞂 Research Continues into Industrial Hemp in the Northern Agricultural Region
In recent years, interest in the Industrial Hemp industry has been increasing. A push from the State Government through the Industrial Hemp Grants Scheme (IHGS) in 2019 and more recently a DPIRD announcement of a collaborative research project examining the potential for Industrial Hemp to be used as sheep feed, are supporting the industry to move forward. . This DPIRD project could be a game changer, as current restrictions on grazing the crop is one of the barriers to wider uptake by farmers. (https://www.farmweekly.com.au/story/6663765/research-looks-at-hemp-for-sheep-feed/) 

The WA Hemp Growers Co-op Ltd ( www.hempgro.com.au ) received funding through the IHGS  to research the most suitable hemp varieties for different regions in Western Australia. Early findings seem to indicate some varieties are dependent on temperatures for seed set, while others may be more influenced by day length. Full trial results will be available soon through the DPIRD website and should give WA farmers more confidence in their growing decisions.

Last year, Moora farmer Daniel Gardiner took part in these trials. His sites were planted in September and Daniel was impressed to see germination by the middle of October on 2ml of rain (see photo). Unfortunately the lack of any spring rainfall resulted in the crop not proceeding beyond emergence. . Daniel is keen to see how this year’s trials go, with planting planned for July, August and September, and the trial incorporating a greater number of seed varieties.

Bolgart farmer Mandy Walker had more success, with all of her trial plots achieving seed set, unfortunately budworm destroyed the budding plants there was no harvest. There is still a long way to go in establishing a dryland hemp industry, but trials such as these are a great step in the right direction.

A key issue for the fledgling industry is having enough product supply to make the processing viable. Other IHGS projects have focussed on developing markets for industrial hemp products and investment into hemp processing facilities, including a mobile processing unit. This multi-pronged approach will help to support the long term profitability, sustainability and growth of the industry.

Hemp is currently grown for the seeds and/or its high-cellulose fibres. The oils from the seeds can be used in both the food and cosmetics industries. The fibre is an ideal building material and it also could be used to replace plastics in some settings. Recent supply chain issues highlighted by COVID-19 have highlighted another potential market – fully biodegradable takeaway food containers. 

The WA Hemp Growers Co-op Ltd are looking for growers willing to trial hemp and are particularly keen to work with any Geraldton or Dongara-based farmers willing to experiment with an irrigated crop. Growers do not need to be members of the co-operative, however, Executive Officer of the group, Gail Stubber says that it does provide a number of benefits to growers including access to a greater variety and cheaper seed, the backup of knowledgeable growers and support to ensure regulatory compliance, plus access to processing facilities and markets. 

For more information please contact your local RALF team, Lizzie King (e – lizzie.king@nacc.com.au p -0447 361 335 ) or Annabelle Garratt (e – annabelle.garratt@nacc.com.au p – 0448 986879

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In 2020-21 I talked about ‘raising the bar’. In 2021-22 we worked on setting the bar on fire. Over the last 12 months, the team at NACC NRM has not stopped.

The Sustainable Agriculture team has extended the program’s reach through collaborations with grower groups in the regions. Specifically, the Beyond Reasonable Drought project and Grower Group Alliance – South West WA Drought Innovation Hub – Geraldton Node project. The Beyond Reasonable Drought partnership with grower groups supported farmers across the region to improve the environmental sustainability of their agricultural production and drought resilience. The outcomes of this project have been consolidated through our successful Expression of Interest to the South West WA Drought Innovation Hub, with support from grower groups across the region, to host the Geraldton Node of the Hub. The program continues to focus on working with agricultural networks to share technical expertise and provide opportunities that will improve land management practices in agriculture across the region.

The conservation outcomes of ranger teams have expanded through work on several land tenures. Maintaining Heritage sites such as Willi Gulli, Racecourse Paddock and Buller River has long been a priority. During 2021-22, the teams have increasingly focused on threatened species and ecosystems.

To this end, Western Mulga rangers have improved management across 19,000 ha for the conservation of Malleefowl through firebreak and access management. They completed the maintenance of water holes and supported the monitoring of over 90 Malleefowl mounds.

Similarly, the Kwelena Mambakort Aboriginal Corporate ranger team have contributed positively to Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo populations by installing artificial hollows and habitat restoration.

All ranger teams have collected native seed, propagated native plants for restoration, and planted native vegetation in key locations across the NAR. Seed collection provides valuable industry experience and has facilitated the planting of over 100,000 seedlings during the year.   

In September 2021, the NACC NRM team delivered the WA Threatened Species Forum, held in tandem with the National Malleefowl Forum. Given the impact of COVID and the timing of this event, having more than 100 delegates from all over Australia was a significant achievement. The two Forums brought together 12 events over five days and featured 14 local artists, 25 businesses and 36 youth participants.

Following the successful relaunch of our updated NARvis, NACC NRM was invited to help lead a significant piece of strategic planning work for the region with Mid West Development Commission and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. With funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, the consortia delivered a Regional Drought Resilience Plan covering the shires of Northampton and Chapman Valley and the City of Greater Geraldton, along with significant technical analysis of drought vulnerability for the South West land division. The development of this plan also included extensive community consultation to ensure that local knowledge and technical advice guided the development of priorities for action.

This planning work links to existing NACC NRM on-ground projects, including Beyond Reasonable Drought and the Chapman Catchment Collaborative regeneration project.

It was a busy year for events with face-to-face events becoming commonplace again. During 2021-22 we hosted events in Gingin, Moora, Dalwallinu, Cervantes, Jurien Bay, Walkaway, Nabawa, Perenjori, Kalannie and Morawa. We supported events in Karakin, Thundellara, Perenjori, Paynes Find, Wubin, Cataby, Warradarge, Northampton, Yuna, Dalwallinu and Dandaragan.

We also supported on-ground works throughout the region, including at the following locations Yuna, Dalwallinu, Dandaragan, Merkanooka, Goodlands, Kalannie, Bunjil, Yardarino, Canna, Kondut, Latham, Kadathinni, Nabawa, Red Gully, Sandy Gully, Waddy Forrest, Devils Creek, Perenjori, Bowgada, Ellendale, Wandana, Namban, Hill River, Warradarge, Gillingarra, Regans Ford and Moonyanooka.

Our region is vast – slightly larger than Tasmania, which for comparison, is serviced by three separate NRM organisations. Covering the NAR region and its many environmental threats is challenging. We continue to focus on partnerships and collaboration to address this challenge. We know that by working with our community through passionate delivery of collaborative on-ground projects and education, the community will value and actively protect our region’s natural capital.

This year we have launched a new Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). The RAP Working Group consulted widely and developed an Innovate RAP which Reconciliation Australia approved in March 2022. The activities to fulfil these commitments are now in full swing.

Sadly, at the end of 2021, we farewelled former NACC NRM CEO Shelley Spriggs, who lost a long battle with cancer. Shelley was an inaugural inductee to the NRM Leadership Honour Roll. I will always be grateful for her guidance and no-nonsense approach, not to mention her passion for life.

While we have said farewell to some, we have welcomed many new faces across all programs, including our Administration team. We have also hosted a school-based trainee from Nagle Catholic College who has been working towards a Certificate II in Conservation and Ecosystem Management. This trial position has been very successful, and we look forward to making this opportunity available again in 2023.

During 2022 we have taken on new projects that align with our organisational and program objectives, and we have successfully completed some great initiatives that support continued conservation and sustainability outcomes. I want to thank the whole team who continue to go above and beyond for the organisation and each other proving their ongoing commitment to our purpose and our values.