High hopes for hemp

Michael Halverson hopes to undertake university-supported hemp research at The University of Melbourne.

University of Melbourne student Michael Halverson is passionate about pursuing agricultural hemp research.

UNIVERSITY of Melbourne student Michael Halverson believes hemp could be the next big thing in sustainable agriculture and is showing a passion for research and innovation well beyond his undergraduate course.

He gained an insight into the industry while completing a literature analysis of the Australian hemp industry as part of his studies last year.

He is part way through a Bachelor of Agriculture degree at The University of Melbourne and hopes to undertake his honours in cannabis research next year.

Cannabis varieties with low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol — the psychoactive ingredient — are commonly referred to as hemp.

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Michael is interested in the agronomics of hemp and exploring the nutritional aspects of the grain.

But Michael hopes his research will break down the knowledge barrier of the previously stigmatised crop so its potential can be realised in an agricultural capacity.

“Currently there are a lot of exaggerated benefits that are being spruiked throughout the industry for commercial gain,” he said.

“There’s a crop that’s able to be researched and we should be researching it if we can, just like any other crop, and trying to ascertain the facts from the fiction.”

While Michael believes hemp will have a successful future within Australian agriculture, he said there is much that is still unknown about the crop, it’s benefits and it’s place as a viable agricultural commodity.

When compared with the current staple crops, he said “cannabis has more than 50 years of catch-up research to complete before we are at equal par (with traditional grain crops)”.

“I think that with active research being conducted on this crop and its commodities, we can get a better understanding of the facts and exactly where it fits in to the bigger agricultural picture.”

Based on current research, Michael said hemp can make an exceptional crop rotation tool as a pathogen break, soil rejuvenator and a cover crop to prevent undesirable weed species.

“Because of its dense biomass, it can also be used to sequester large amounts of carbon from the atmosphere,” he said.

The plant also offers nutritious oilseed that contains high protein and fatty acids as well as strong natural fibres for material.

Michael hopes to conduct his research at The University of Melbourne’s Dookie campus.

“I believe it will give (Dookie) a new vibrant image — a progressive image,” he said.

“It could be great for local farmers to adopt and diversify their crop rotations.”

In his attempts to undertake university-backed research, Michael has networked with academics and industry groups including the Victoria Hemp Association and The University of Melbourne’s dean of the Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences Professor John Fazakerley.

Prof Fazakerley said that while the university has been associated with some hemp research, a focus on fibre and nutritional value has, until recently, been uncharted territory.

He added that while the controversial crop provided challenges in obtaining grants and licenses to undertake the research, the university was “definitely interested” in Michael’s research and keen to support young innovation.

“We’re very supportive of innovation. We do a lot of research into new and upcoming crops,” Prof Fazakerley said.

Dookie College’s professor in residence, Timothy Reeves, has also been a key mentor in Michael’s study pursuits.

Prof Reeves previously helped Michael complete his industry project subject and would work closely with Michael if he undertakes research at Dookie.

“Michael is clearly a very passionate young man,” Mr Reeves said.

“We really need those passionate, clear-thinking students to be working to sustainably intensify food production.”

If his honours proposal is approved, Michael will work with 17 post grad students and 10 PhD students at Dookie’s facilities, all of whom work in sustainable agriculture.