Hemp harvest kicks off at Hamilton

HEMP harvest kicks off on Mike Nagorcka’s Hamilton property.

Multi-use: Mike Nagorcka, of Waltanna Farms, Strathkeller, is about to start harvesting his second hemp crop. Picture: Dannika Bonser

HEMP harvest kicks off today on Mike Nagorcka’s Hamilton property.

Towering at eye-height, the lush-looking plants are the second successful hemp crop grown on Mike’s Waltanna Farms operation.

“We get phone calls daily from people inquiring about hemp and how to grow it,” Mike said. He’s happy to share advice, but prefers to spend time perfecting agronomy, conducting more trials and brainstorming hemp product ideas.

Mike and his wife Bronnie grow crops across 3000ha in the Western District, much of it certified organic. Flax is their main crop and Mike has used his knowledge about processing the nutritious grain to value-add his new hemp.

“I’ve never known two plants that have so many health benefits and so many uses,” said the 49-year-old, who is a fifth-generation grower.

He grows the fermion hemp variety, which produces oil-rich seeds. Seeds are processed on farm into oil and flour, with Waltanna Farms selling own-brand products online, supplying supermarkets and wholesale.

Harvest kicks off as soon as the seed buds have fully formed and plant moisture is about 12-15 per cent, about 100 days after sowing.

Mike chose varieties that don’t grow taller than about two metres for ease of harvesting.

“We have slightly modified some of our harvesters to accommodate the hemp,” he said. “The processing equipment has also been modified slightly from that of flax.

“When we harvest, it has to be dried within a four-hour period. We have our own dryers here, that is what gives you the fresh seed, the fresh taste and keeps yeasts and moulds down.”

In addition to success with hemp, Waltanna Farms also had a good year with organic wheat, achieving a respectable 8.25 tonnes per hectare.