Hon. Sophia Moermond inquires about expanding industrial hemp variety trials to include fibre production and future events to support the hemp industry in WA. The Minister confirms biomass is measured and future events are planned.

AnsweredQoN 12Legislative Council
Asked
14 February 2023
Portfolio
Agriculture and Food

QuestionView source ↗

INDUSTRIAL HEMP VARIETY
TRIAL FIELD DAY
12. Hon
SOPHIA MOERMOND to the Minister for Agriculture and Food:
Congratulations to the brand new
minister.
I
refer to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's
very successful Industrial Hemp Variety Trial field day, held on 2
February in Manjimup in conjunction with AgriFutures Australia.
(1) Is there
scope within the current project, which only measures seed production, to also
measure fibre production within the trialled varieties?
(2) Given the level
of interest at the event from farmers wanting to grow hemp, will there be any
future events that encourage growth of the hemp industry in Western Australia?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) Measurements in the variety trials, 2021–2023,
currently include total plant biomass, dry matter percentage and seed
yield. Although not specifically measuring the fibre quality and type, biomass
production is the first indication of an economically viable fibre yield for a fibre
specific variety of hemp.
(2) Yes. The next hemp trial extension activity is
being planned for June, associated with DPIRD variety t rials in
Kununurra at the Frank Wise Institute for Tropical Research, and a pre-season
agronomy workshop for hemp growers in the south west of WA. All research
undertaken will be delivered in association with communication and engagement
activities.

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