Ontario Government Report
In June, 1994 the first modern hemp crop in North America was grown on 6 acres of land in southern Ontario (Sumach, 1995). Since then the interest of Canadian farmers and researchers has exploded, and in 1998 over 2500 hectares (5500 acres) were cultivated for commercial and research purposes across Canada (Crawford, 1998). The largest of the research projects was conducted in Northern Ontario and evaluated 11 varieties of industrial hemp at 32 locations from Rainy River to Sudbury. This research will provide a large data base and set the stage for a potential hemp industry in Northern Ontario. It is generally believed that the development of a hemp industry in Northern Ontario will begin with a focus on producing hemp seed for processing into oils and other by-products. This is due to the higher value of seed and oil compared to hemp fibre in today's market , and to the fact that hemp seed can be processed using existing equipment while processing of hemp fibre will require new facilities and equipment.
Although universally called hemp seed, the fruit of the hemp plant is technically a small nut (Bocsa and Karus, 1997), and is reported to contain 25 % to 35 % oil by volume (White, 1997). A growing interest in hemp seed and oil is due in large part to it's unique characteristics of containing essential fatty acids in a ratio that perfectly matches human nutritional requirements (Jones, 1995). Weil (1993) notes that essential fatty acids (EFA's), which are beneficial to human health, cannot be manufactured by the human body and must be acquired from external sources. The predominant EFA's in hemp oil are the unsaturated linoleic and linolenic acids, but many other types are present, including gamma linolenic acid (GLA) which is of increasing pharmaceutical interest (Molleken and Theimer, 1997). Although other oils, particularly fish and flaxseed oils also contain EFA's, Wirtshafter (1994) notes that these oils have unpleasant flavors as compared to the mellow and slightly nutty flavor of hemp seed oil. Przybylski et al (1998) feel that interest in hemp seed oil is increasing and that markets for specialty oils are growing fast as consumers are becoming more concerned about diet and health.
Oil for human consumption is certainly not the only market for hemp grain in Canada and the United States. Many other products can be made from the seed, and the oil can be used in a wide variety of applications. Roulac (1997) notes hemp seed oil blends easily with other substances, and can be used as a base to produce lubricants, paints, dyes, soaps, shampoos, cosmetics, and detergents. The seed can also be ground into flour and used to produce all sorts of baked goods, or can be processed into milk, cheese, ice cream, margarine and food supplements. Conrad (1994) states that hemp seed can be fed raw to many animals, including fish, farm animals, and wild birds. The high oil content of hemp seed makes it particularly attractive to many species of birds (Jones, 1995), and the growing bird watching industry may provide an important market for raw hemp seed. The meal remaining after the seed has been pressed for oil is high in protein and can be fed to farm animals as a supplement to an existing diet (Jones, 1995). Although little data is available regarding hemp seed meal as animal feed, Droppo (1984) states that flaxseed meal, which is similar to hemp seed meal in protein and fat content, can be used as the sole protein supplement for dairy cows. Further investigation is necessary, but this may prove to be a valuable by-product for hemp seed processors and farm animal producers in northern Ontario.
In June, 1994 the first modern hemp crop in North America was grown on 6 acres of land in southern Ontario (Sumach, 1995). Since then the interest of Canadian farmers and researchers has exploded, and in 1998 over 2500 hectares (5500 acres) were cultivated for commercial and research purposes across Canada (Crawford, 1998). The largest of the research projects was conducted in Northern Ontario and evaluated 11 varieties of industrial hemp at 32 locations from Rainy River to Sudbury. This research will provide a large data base and set the stage for a potential hemp industry in Northern Ontario. It is generally believed that the development of a hemp industry in Northern Ontario will begin with a focus on producing hemp seed for processing into oils and other by-products. This is due to the higher value of seed and oil compared to hemp fibre in today's market , and to the fact that hemp seed can be processed using existing equipment while processing of hemp fibre will require new facilities and equipment.
Although universally called hemp seed, the fruit of the hemp plant is technically a small nut (Bocsa and Karus, 1997), and is reported to contain 25 % to 35 % oil by volume (White, 1997). A growing interest in hemp seed and oil is due in large part to it's unique characteristics of containing essential fatty acids in a ratio that perfectly matches human nutritional requirements (Jones, 1995). Weil (1993) notes that essential fatty acids (EFA's), which are beneficial to human health, cannot be manufactured by the human body and must be acquired from external sources. The predominant EFA's in hemp oil are the unsaturated linoleic and linolenic acids, but many other types are present, including gamma linolenic acid (GLA) which is of increasing pharmaceutical interest (Molleken and Theimer, 1997). Although other oils, particularly fish and flaxseed oils also contain EFA's, Wirtshafter (1994) notes that these oils have unpleasant flavors as compared to the mellow and slightly nutty flavor of hemp seed oil. Przybylski et al (1998) feel that interest in hemp seed oil is increasing and that markets for specialty oils are growing fast as consumers are becoming more concerned about diet and health.
Oil for human consumption is certainly not the only market for hemp grain in Canada and the United States. Many other products can be made from the seed, and the oil can be used in a wide variety of applications. Roulac (1997) notes hemp seed oil blends easily with other substances, and can be used as a base to produce lubricants, paints, dyes, soaps, shampoos, cosmetics, and detergents. The seed can also be ground into flour and used to produce all sorts of baked goods, or can be processed into milk, cheese, ice cream, margarine and food supplements. Conrad (1994) states that hemp seed can be fed raw to many animals, including fish, farm animals, and wild birds. The high oil content of hemp seed makes it particularly attractive to many species of birds (Jones, 1995), and the growing bird watching industry may provide an important market for raw hemp seed. The meal remaining after the seed has been pressed for oil is high in protein and can be fed to farm animals as a supplement to an existing diet (Jones, 1995). Although little data is available regarding hemp seed meal as animal feed, Droppo (1984) states that flaxseed meal, which is similar to hemp seed meal in protein and fat content, can be used as the sole protein supplement for dairy cows. Further investigation is necessary, but this may prove to be a valuable by-product for hemp seed processors and farm animal producers in northern Ontario.
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