This episode featured as part of the Agronomy segment in partnership with PGG Wrightson.

New Zealand’s hemp rules no longer require growers to hold a licence, a change Southland grower Blair Drysdale says should have come years ago.

Drysdale, who co-owns Hopefield Hemp and crops at Balfour near Riversdale, says the crop is now simply registered with police and MPI rather than licensed through Medsafe, and the permitted THC level has risen from 0.3% to 1%.

“It should never have sat with the Ministry of Health in the first place,” he says.

The earlier regime demanded police checks, on-farm security and a set distance from schools.

“It was a hell of a rigmarole.”

He says the lower barriers should open the industry to more growers, though he is cautious.

“It’s something that should’ve been done from the outset, and it’s probably too little too late.”

Hopefield Hemp presses seed into oils and creams.

“We’re happy with where we’re at,” he says.

Make sure to contact PGG Wrightson to plan your crop and pasture requirements. You can find your local Technical Field Representative or store team here.

CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch/listen or download the CountryWide CONNECT mobile app, available on Apple iOS and Android.