Rural Supplies

Equipment, inputs, logistics and on-farm services. Hemp animal beding, weed mats, and more.

Growers, Manufacturers, News, Newsletter, Rural Supplies

Ashford Hemp Industries expands and seeks local growers

/

These past few months have seen Ashford Hemp Industries (AHI), Leon Minos working hard with the team to get a second Ashford Hemp Processor established in New Zealand. Meanwhile Connie is wanting to talk with farmers who are growing or are considering growing hemp in North-West NSW to procure ongoing supply of quality bales. New Zealand’s Venture Taranaki have ramped up their hemp industry development with the purchase of an Ashford Hemp Processor. The installation differs to other processors AHI has supplied and we’re keen to see it in full operation over the coming days. If you would like further information about purchasing a Hemp Processor, please contact us on the details below. While Leon has been enjoying the beautiful scenery in the Taranaki area, Connie and the processing team continue to be busy processing hemp to supply hempcrete builds in NSW and QLD. “We are keen to establish an ongoing supply relationship with farms in the North-West NSW or southern QLD to ensure we continue meeting the growing demand of hemp fibre. Growing hemp generates soil improvement and income, but there are several key points that are essential in ensuring these benefits are accessed by both farmers and processors,” says Connie. Please contact Connie on the details below if you would like more information. Connie Minos EO iHemp NSW Director, Ashford Hemp Industries Ph 0477812163 E:connie@ashfordhempindustries.com

News, Newsletter, Rural Supplies

Winter Dryland Hemp Trials Steal the Show

/

By John Muir, Agronomist | August 2025 The  iHemp NSW Field Trip on September 11, 2024, visited the University of Sydney’s Narrabri Research Station and a cotton farm in Moree as part of the annual winter crop field day. Among the many crops on display, hemp emerged as a standout feature for the 300 guests in both field observations and presentations. Included in one of Narrabri’s many alternate winter species dryland cover crop projects, hemp had been sown in addition to the AgriFutures summer sown irrigated crop variety trials. Traditionally a summer crop, hemp often struggles to establish in high air/soil summer temperatures. Recognising this, Professor Guy Roth, Director of Northern Agriculture from the Sydney Institute of Agriculture, extended sowing dates into winter – and the results were surprising.As part of the broader winter green manure /cover cropping program preceding dryland summer cotton, the trial featured a mix of cereals, brassicas, legumes, and hemp. All crops were sown no-till, into 5 tonnes per hectare of wheat stubble on June 22. Around three months later, on September 11 – following a frosty winter – the field day showcased an unexpected standout leader: hemp. By 60 days after sowing, the HFA Ruby variety had reached mid-flowering, stood approximately 0.75 meters tall, and had achieved an estimated biomass of 3 tonnes per hectare. Hemp’s frost tolerance in its vegetative stage proved advantageous. As long as flowering occurs after the winter frost, hemp can fill and finish, just like a winter crops, into spring and completing grain fill before the hot, dry summer sets in. The trial yielded over 500 kg/ha of grain, despite a significant portion of seed shattering prior to harvest. Like canola, hemp is indeterminate and tends to have uneven maturity, making timely harvest critical. Even with some losses, at a market price of $3,000 per tonne, the return equated to approximately $1,500/ha. This result is just the beginning. With further improvements in genetics, agronomy, and environmental understanding, the potential for winter-sown hemp in southern Australia is immense. And new trials are already in this year including dryland winter commercial crops in NSW to South Australia. Further Information: For additional insights, refer to the April 2024 extract of a presentation at Australian Industrial Hemp Conference, written by John Muir, Polish breeder of Henola and Don Telfer DPIRD WA, and AgriFutures Knowledge Hub.

Growers, News, Rural Supplies

Navigating Challenges in Hemp Farming

/

By Connie Minos, iHemp NSW Executive Officer Director, Ashford Hemp Industries.  What a wet month we’ve had impacting on so many of us. It’s been a relief to hear that many farmers have been able to get their hemp crops harvested and off the field. I’m sure there are many others who weren’t so lucky. Over the last few months, I have spoken to a number of farmers either experienced in growing hemp or just considering hemp as an alternative crop option for soil regeneration and income diversification. For several years Ashford Hemp Industries have had challenges in meeting hurd orders due to a limited, quality supply of retted hemp. Thankfully this turned around for us over the past year and our production line has been working steadily. While the increase in the number of people growing, or wanting to grow hemp, is an encouraging sign in this industry, it does not come without a warning. While those of us in the know clearly understand the benefits of building with hemp, the harsh reality is there is a slump in the building industry and hemp building has not avoided costly delays and a reduction in new builds. To avoid damaging our hemp farming industry we must ensure that there is a clear understanding of where the market is at before choosing to take on hemp growing, which is neither cheap nor easy. Ideally, we can build up our farming network in coordination with processing facilities across the state, while simultaneously developing the building industry to ensure the quality of hemp is maintained, and that the supply chain keeps moving to the benefit of all players. As always, effective communication is the key, and accessing the supports available through iHemp NSW and other sources is a great place to start.

News, Past Events, Rural Supplies

Success with Hemp at the 2025 Sydney Royal Easter Show

/

By Colin Steddy, Hemp Inside This year, I had the great privilege of joining Happy Soils (Andrew Meseha), Hexcore, and Why Not Consulting at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, thanks to an invitation from Duncan Kendall and the team at the Woolworths Discovery Centre. We bumped in on April 9, ready for gates to open on the 10th, and the energy was electric from day one — in fact, it was the biggest opening-day crowd in the show’s history. The Discovery Dome display stood out for all the right reasons. The entire fit-out — walls, tables, chairs, and cabinets — was crafted from ply board and furniture made by Hexcore using hemp materials. Hemp Gallery supplied beautiful hemp-made items, and I brought along hempcrete bricks, weed matting, samples of hurd and fibre, and hemp seed oil for sale. It was an honour to represent Hemp Inside and the broader Australian hemp industry. Public interest in hemp was strong and genuine. People came eager to share what they knew and to learn more — from curious newcomers to returning visitors tracking industry progress. Many asked, “Can I grow hemp on my land?” My answer was consistent: “We need to develop more markets and attract more investment to grow demand. Once that happens, we’ll be looking for more growers.” Andrew, Anastasia, their baby, and I were there every day — and yes, standing and talking non-stop for nearly two weeks was exhausting! But the support we received made it worthwhile. Visitors were enthusiastic, firemen stopped to see our display (including a video of the Hexcore house being tested in fire conditions), and Happy Soils customers shared encouraging results and plans to expand their use of the products. Media coverage? Disappointingly, not a single photo. But meaningful conversations made up for it — including promising follow-ups and exciting developments in the pipeline for Hexcore. I also had a valuable hour-long call with the NSW Department of Primary Industries, where I shared views on key obstacles holding back the industry: We must collaborate to build a strong, sustainable industry. The shift from the Office of Drug Control to the Department of Agriculture would unlock growth. It would create the policy certainty needed to attract serious investment. Right now, the perception that regulations could change overnight by the narcotics division scares off potential backers. Encouragingly, DPI is calling for industry submissions to help shape a stronger future. I urge everyone to contribute. One of the best compliments came from other exhibitors, who said the energy from our display was inspiring. Andrew’s love of music and fun made for a lively space — we even had a few dance moments with the crowd. The positivity was contagious. We bumped out on April 23 — a long stint on our feet, but a truly worthwhile experience. Big thanks to the Royal Agricultural Society, Duncan Kendall and his team, and our amazing crew: Andrew, Anastasia, Why Not Consulting, and Happy Soils. Let’s keep pushing forward. Cheers, Colin Steddy Hemp Inside  

Education, Growers, News, Research, Rural Supplies, Seed Supplies

Murray Industrial Hemp Launches Seed Funding Opportunity

/

Murray Industrial Hemp Launches Seed Funding Opportunity  October 10th, 2024 Murray Industrial Hemp P/L (MIH), an innovative leader in sustainable hemp cultivation and industrial building products, is excited to announce the launch of its Seed Funding Investment Memorandum. This investment opportunity marks a significant step in the MIH journey to expand its operations and enhance its impact in the rapidly growing industrial hemp market. MIH is inviting strategic investors to join its mission to transform the industrial hemp industry by participating in its seed funding round. The funds raised will be allocated to building business infrastructure, covering initial startup operational expenses, expanding a strong grower network, advancing a seed breeding program, partnering with an industry-leading carbon accounting firm and driving market growth. Key Investment Highlights: • Sustainable Agriculture Focus: MIH is committed to developing a strong grower base through innovative hemp production techniques that support sustainable agriculture. • Growth Potential: With a strong network of strategic partnerships, including collaborations with established local and overseas hemp companies, and research institutions, MIH is well-positioned to scale rapidly in a sector experiencing exponential growth. • Community-Centric Approach: MIH is dedicated to providing long-term benefits to local communities through job creation and environmentally sustainable practices. “We are at the forefront of a transformative moment in the hemp industry, providing opportunities to shorten the value chain by focusing on delivering sustainable building products,” said Project Lead Leigh Fletcher, of Murray Industrial Hemp P/L. “This seed funding round will accelerate our growth and innovation efforts, allowing us to expand operations, develop advanced hemp technologies, and explore new markets.” Prospective investors can access the condensed Investment Memorandum here or contact Leigh Fletcher of the MIH Investment Team info@murrayindustrialhemp.com.au or call 0429 144 743.  

Scroll to Top