An experimental crop of industrial hemp proved too strong for Cyclone Alfred when it pounded paddocks at Gatton last week.

Only one week ahead of harvest, the small plot of low-THC hemp withstood winds gusting up to 125 km/h and the floods accompanying the once-in-50-year weather event.

“The outer plants bore the brunt of the wind, but protected the rest of the crop,” said Lauchlan Grout, chief operating officer of the hemp seed company undertaking the field trials at the University of Queensland farm.

The 110-day crop stands 4 meters high. “We expect to redeem about 90 per cent of this crop, even after a major cyclone,” Mr. Grout said.

“The cellular rigidity of the stems – the property that makes hemp so suited to building materials – kept the plants upright through it all.

“It proves our varieties are sturdy – they can withstand the elements. Hemp offers growers a cash or break crop when other crops are prone to flattening.”

Mr. Grout, who is also vice-president of the Australian Hemp Council, continued: “Our industrial hemp fibers offer unparalleled tensile strength. Enriched with silica, industrial hemp develops fortified cell walls and vascular structures.

“Industrial hemp is nature’s ultimate survivor. Deep root systems anchor it firmly in the soil, its resilient fibers withstand extreme forces and its adaptive biology thrives in the face of drought, floods, and storms.”

Mr. Grout highlighted the value of locally developed hemp varieties. “Australian-bred industrial hemp strains are tailored for our unique climate, providing higher viability and better agronomic performance compared to imported seeds,” he said.

He added that, with the possibility of more future weather events driven by climate change, adapting to hemp could offer cropping continuity for broadacre farmers.

“Moreover, the large-scale planting of industrial hemp provides additional environmental benefits, including significant carbon offset potential.

“This dual role of hemp, in both remediation and carbon sequestration, positions Australia to lead in the development of biomass-based remediation technologies.

“The HFA varieties are specifically bred to deliver optimal harvests for fiber or health-giving hemp seeds,” he said.

Background

HFA is the country’s largest Australian family-owned breeder of low-THC, non-GMO hemp genetics.

Hemp Farms Australia (HFA) is a proudly Australian-owned and operated enterprise headquartered in Brisbane.

Established in 2013, HFA has a dedicated team of seasoned agronomists boasting two decades of collective expertise.

It stands as a pioneering leader in the industrial hemp sector, renowned for its unwavering commitment to delivering top-tier, low-THC seed varieties.

HFA has been at the forefront of innovation, meticulously breeding and cultivating industrial hemp strains tailored to excel in Australia’s unique conditions, soils, and climates.

This article appeared in Allora Advertiser, 19 March 2025.