A unique method of crop sowing is being used as part of new hemp trials at Long Compton.

The advantages of the cross-slot no tillage drill are being championed by Paul and James Alexander as part of trials aimed at testing the suitability of Dual Use Hemp to local conditions.

The drill is one of only two such machines in the country. Said Paul: "In this demonstration, we hope to show how the sowing of hemp seed and placement of fertiliser at optimum depth, using the unique features of this drill, with little surface disturbance, is both the best and lowest cost method of crop establishment."

Since no herbicide is currently effective, it is important to establish the crop with as little weed seed germination as possible.

The results sown with the new drill will be compared to an area of the trial drilled with conventional cultivations.

"We have bought this machine, having recently returned from New Zealand, where they have been in use for a number of years, believing that this type of machine is the way forward for UK agriculture," said Paul.

Paul and James believe the advantages in terms of crop establishment could replace long-established techniques for growing a wide range of conventional arable crops.

Dual Use Hemp is a new crop with expanding markets being established for both seed and fibre. If local farmers show an interest, the crop may be taken forward with the aid of a local processing facility.

The trial site is owned by Warwickshire Rural Hub founder member James Walton, managing director of family farming business G H Walton and Son Ltd., and a former chairman of Warwickshire NFU. He said: "I am very excited about this new trial and I am pleased that we have the means to show both the opportunity for this new crop and the cross-slot direct drill. Given the changes in the subsidy regime, we must continue to look to new initiatives and hemp seems to be a crop with huge opportunity now that this dual use variety has come forward."