Teagasc Research on Hemp

John Finnan

Teagasc Research - Hemp

1960-1966: Hemp as a source of fibre for paper and textiles – Michael Neenan

1997-1999: Hemp as a fibre source for medium density fibre board – Jim Crowley

2008-2012: Hemp as an energy crop – John Finnan

Hemp as a source of fibre for

paper and textiles

Michael Neenan

Hemp trials 1960-1966

Paper making – unretted stalks were cut and then pulped – paper quality comparable to wood

Fibre production – stalks were retted for 10-18 days before being dried and scutched – spinning tests were carried out – quality of fibre found suitable for textile production

Fibre yields – approximately 20%

Hemp as a fibre source for

medium density fibre board

Jim Crowley

Varieties

Yield vs Variety 2008

French Monoecious Varieties

8

9

10

11

12

Early (Ferimon) Medium (Felina) Late (Futura)

Ste

m Y

ield

t D

M/h

a

Bioenergy Conference

2009

Seeding Rate

Seed Rate Knockbeg 1997-1999

10

10.5

11

11.5

12

20 30 40 50

Seed Rate (Kg/ha)

t/h

a

Bioenergy Conference

2009

Sowing Date

Sowing Date knockbeg 1998-99

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Early April Mid April Early May Mid May

t/h

a

Hemp as an energy crop

Hemp- Energy Crop

• High yields of biomass for low inputs

• 150 ha grown in 2008

• Energy crops can be included in a tillage rotation

Hemp – Break Crop

• Suppression of weeds

• Returns nutrients to the soil

• Rhizomes growth improves soil structure

Weeds Pests Diseases

• Teagasc hemp crops were grown

successfully without the use of

herbicides, fungicides or insecticides

• Broadleaf leaf control a potential issue

but early sowing in good conditions

smothers weeds

• Fungal diseases: Botrytis and

Sclerotinia present in one particularly

wet year but good yields were still

obtained

• Insect pests: No problems encountered

Hemp – Response to

Potassium

Bioenergy Conference

2009

Nitrogen Fertilizer – Index 1

Response to Nitrogen 2008

Three Sites

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

0 70 98 120 150

N (kg/ha)

Ste

m Y

ield

t D

M/h

a

Nitrogen Fertilizer – Effect of

Timing

Hemp – Nutrient Advice

Hemp – Energy Crop Life cycle assessment of hemp vs other

annual and perennial energy crops

Hemp for Seed production

Hemp – Drying and

Harvesting

Hemp - Harvesting

Harvesting - Mowing

Harvesting - Raking

Harvesting - Baling

Hemp

High Yields of Stem

Low Fertilizer requirement

No/Low Agrochemicals

Improves Soil Structure

Reduces weed pressure

Thankyou

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