By Mark TurnerIntroduction
Choosing the right hemp variety is one of the most important decisions a UK farmer will make. The right cultivar can mean the difference between a profitable harvest and a costly crop destruction. Under the UK industrial hemp licensing framework, only varieties listed on the EU Common Catalogue of Plant Varieties are permitted for cultivation.
It is essential to understand that an industrial hemp licence permits cultivation exclusively for fibre from the stalk and/or oil from the seeds. The leaves and flowering tops are controlled parts of the plant and cannot be harvested or processed. This means variety selection must be focused on fibre yield, seed yield, or both. For a full overview of the licensing rules, see our licensing guide.
Types of Hemp Varieties
Grain (Seed) Varieties
Optimised for seed production, these shorter varieties (typically 1.0–1.5m tall) produce high yields of hemp grain for food, oil, and animal feed markets. They mature earlier and are harvested with standard combine harvesters. Popular grain varieties include Finola and USO 31.
Fibre Varieties
Tall-growing varieties (2.5–4.0m) selected for stem fibre production. The bast fibre is used in textiles, construction materials (hempcrete), automotive composites, and insulation. Fibre varieties like Futura 75 and Santhica 27 produce high biomass yields but require specialist harvesting equipment.
Dual-Purpose Varieties
Balanced varieties that produce both grain and fibre, offering flexibility in market targeting. Fedora 17 is a popular dual-purpose choice for UK conditions, providing a moderate yield of both seed and fibre.
CBD Is Not a Permitted Use
UK Hemp Cultivation by Variety Type (Estimated 2025)
Detailed Comparison of Approved Varieties
The following table compares key characteristics of popular EU Common Catalogue varieties grown in the UK. All conventional varieties carry some level of THC exceedance risk, particularly under environmental stress conditions such as drought, heat, or delayed harvest. The UK legal THC limit is 0.2% as specified by the Home Office licensing guidance.
| Variety | Type | Yield (t/ha) | THC Risk | UK Suitability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finola | Grain | 0.8–1.0 (seed) | Medium | Good – early maturing |
| Fedora 17 | Dual | 1.0–1.2 (seed) | Low | Excellent – widely grown |
| Futura 75 | Fibre | 8–12 (biomass) | Low | Good – high fibre yield |
| USO 31 | Grain | 0.7–0.9 (seed) | Medium | Moderate – shorter season |
| Santhica 27 | Fibre | 10–14 (biomass) | Very Low | Good – low THC genetics |
| Felina 32 | Dual | 0.9–1.1 (seed) | Low–Medium | Good – versatile |
| BritGrain Auto™ | Grain | 1.8–2.4 (seed) | Zero | Excellent – Stackatrait™ five-trait platform |
| LongLine Fibre™ | Fibre | 8–12 (straw) | Zero | Excellent – Stackatrait™ five-trait platform |
| YieldMax Duo™ | Dual | 1.5–2.0 (seed) | Zero | Excellent – Stackatrait™ five-trait platform |
Understanding THC Risk Ratings
Grain Yield Comparison
Seed Yield by Variety (tonnes per hectare)
Precision-Bred Varieties: The Next Generation
Precision-bred varieties represent a transformative step forward for UK hemp cultivation. Developed under the framework of the Precision Breeding Act 2023, these varieties use precision breeding technology to make targeted modifications to the plant's own DNA, producing changes that could occur naturally but would take decades through conventional breeding. Learn more about the science on our precision breeding technology page.
Precision Plants Varieties
| Variety | Type | Key Advantages | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| BritGrain Auto™ | Grain | 1.8–2.4 t/ha seed, >70% oleic oil content, 90–110 day maturity, auto-flowering day-neutral genetics, zero THC | Laboratory stage |
| LongLine Fibre™ | Fibre | 8–12 t/ha straw, 30–35% bast fibre, 500–720 MPa tensile strength, enhanced retting efficiency, zero THC | Laboratory stage |
| YieldMax Duo™ | Dual | 1.5–2.0 t/ha seed + 6–8 t/ha straw, enhanced root architecture for carbon sequestration (8–15 t CO₂/ha), zero THC | Laboratory stage |
"Precision-bred varieties eliminate the single biggest risk in hemp farming: THC non-compliance. Combined with enhanced yield, fibre quality, and climate resilience, this changes the economics of the entire industry."
Our proprietary Stackatrait™ platform delivers five integrated trait categories per variety: Cannabinoid Modification, Seed Yield & Oil, Fibre Quality, Root & Carbon, and Climate Resilience. Each variety receives the trait categories most relevant to its market purpose, with YieldMax Duo™ receiving all five. Explore the full range on our varieties page.
Explore Our Varieties
Detailed specifications for BritGrain Auto™, LongLine Fibre™, and YieldMax Duo™, including agronomic data and trait category breakdowns.
Read MoreFive Trait Category Comparison: Precision Plants vs Conventional
The Stackatrait™ platform addresses five critical trait categories that conventional breeding cannot deliver simultaneously. The following comparison shows how Precision Plants varieties are designed to outperform conventional EU varieties across every category that matters to UK farmers.
1. Cannabinoid Modification
Conventional varieties rely on low-THC genetics that can still exceed the 0.2% legal limit under stress. Precision Plants varieties are designed to be genetically incapable of producing THC, achieving <0.01% regardless of heat, drought, or delayed harvest. This eliminates the single largest financial risk in UK hemp farming — crop destruction for non-compliance.
| Factor | Conventional Varieties | Precision Plants Varieties |
|---|---|---|
| THC Level | 0.05–0.20% (variable) | <0.01% (designed zero) |
| Stress Response | THC can spike under heat/drought | Genetically stable regardless of conditions |
| Compliance Risk | Present — crop destruction possible | Designed to be zero |
| Insurance Cost | Higher premiums for THC risk | Designed to eliminate THC-related premiums |
2. Seed Yield & Oil
BritGrain Auto™ and YieldMax Duo™ are designed to deliver significantly enhanced seed yield and oil quality compared to conventional grain varieties. Larger seed size, improved shatter resistance, and a high-oleic oil profile (> 70% oleic acid) are targeted to command premium prices in food and health markets.
| Factor | Conventional (e.g. Finola) | BritGrain Auto™ |
|---|---|---|
| Seed Yield | 0.8–1.0 t/ha | 1.8–2.4 t/ha (targeted) |
| Oil Content | 30–35% | 33–38% (targeted) |
| Oil Profile | Standard polyunsaturated | >70% oleic (targeted high-stability) |
| Shatter Resistance | Moderate — harvest losses common | Enhanced — reduced grain loss at harvest |
| Maturity | 110–130 days | 90–110 days (auto-flowering) |
3. Fibre Quality
LongLine Fibre™ and YieldMax Duo™ are designed with enhanced fibre characteristics that meet the demanding specifications of textile mills and composite manufacturers. Improved tensile strength, faster retting, and optimised bast-to-hurd ratios are targeted to reduce processing costs and increase the value of every tonne of straw.
| Factor | Conventional (e.g. Futura 75) | LongLine Fibre™ |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 400–550 MPa | 500–720 MPa (targeted) |
| Bast Fibre Content | 25–30% | 30–35% (targeted) |
| Retting Efficiency | Standard — 2–4 weeks field retting | Enhanced — faster, more uniform retting |
| Processing Cost | Standard | Designed to be reduced through improved fibre uniformity |
| End-Market Suitability | General industrial | Premium textiles, composites, and construction |
4. Root & Carbon
YieldMax Duo™ is designed with enhanced root architecture for deeper soil penetration, improving drought tolerance and unlocking a new revenue stream through verified carbon sequestration credits. This trait category is unique to YieldMax Duo™ and positions it as the UK's first carbon-positive hemp variety.
| Factor | Conventional Varieties | YieldMax Duo™ |
|---|---|---|
| Root Depth | Standard (shallow–moderate) | Enhanced deep rooting (targeted) |
| Carbon Sequestration | 3–5 t CO₂/ha (estimated) | 8–15 t CO₂/ha (targeted) |
| Carbon Credit Revenue | None verified | £240–750/ha (targeted, based on UK carbon prices) |
| Drought Tolerance | Moderate | Enhanced through deeper root access to water |
| Soil Health | Standard improvement | Enhanced subsoil structure and organic matter |
5. Climate Resilience
All three Precision Plants varieties are designed with enhanced climate resilience for UK growing conditions. Improved cold tolerance enables earlier spring sowing, lodging resistance protects tall crops from wind damage, and optimised flowering control ensures consistent maturity timing regardless of latitude.
| Factor | Conventional Varieties | Precision Plants Varieties |
|---|---|---|
| Cold Tolerance | Limited — late spring sowing required | Enhanced — designed for earlier sowing window |
| Lodging Resistance | Variable — tall varieties prone to lodging | Enhanced — improved stem strength |
| Flowering Control | Photoperiod-dependent (variable) | Optimised for UK latitudes |
| Harvest Window | Narrow — weather dependent | Designed to be wider through accelerated maturity |
| Regional Adaptability | Southern England focus | Designed for all UK regions including Scotland |
"Stackatrait™ is not just about removing THC. It's about building a complete package of traits — yield, quality, resilience, and carbon — that makes hemp the most profitable and sustainable crop option for UK farmers."
Choosing the Right Variety for Your Farm
Selecting the right variety requires careful consideration of your target market, growing conditions, and risk tolerance. Here is a framework to guide your decision.
Market Target
- Food and nutrition: Choose high-yielding grain varieties like BritGrain Auto™. Hemp seed is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and commands premium prices in health food markets.
- Textiles and construction: Fibre varieties like LongLine Fibre™ provide the stem quality needed for premium applications.
- Market flexibility: Dual-purpose varieties like YieldMax Duo™ hedge market risk by producing both seed and fibre, with the added benefit of carbon credit revenue.
Growing Conditions
- Northern regions (Scotland, North England): Choose early-maturing varieties like BritGrain Auto™ (90–110 day cycle) to ensure harvest before autumn weather deteriorates. Enhanced cold tolerance and climate resilience traits are designed to extend the viable growing range northward.
- Southern regions (South England, Wales): Later-maturing varieties can achieve higher yields with the longer growing season.
- Heavy or clay soils: Avoid waterlogging-sensitive varieties. Good drainage is essential for all hemp cultivation. See our soil requirements guide.
Risk Tolerance
- Risk-averse (recommended for new growers): Precision-bred varieties with zero THC risk eliminate the possibility of crop destruction.
- Moderate risk: Low-THC conventional varieties with careful harvest timing.
- Higher risk: Higher-yielding conventional varieties that require active THC management and precise harvest timing.
Advice for First-Time Growers
Our Recommendations
| Scenario | Recommended Variety | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| First-time grower | BritGrain Auto™ | Zero THC risk, high yield, simple agronomy, 90–110 day cycle |
| Food market focus | BritGrain Auto™ | Premium grain quality, high-oleic oil, enhanced seed yield |
| Fibre market focus | LongLine Fibre™ | Superior tensile strength, enhanced retting, premium fibre quality |
| Maximum flexibility | YieldMax Duo™ | Grain + fibre + carbon credits, all five Stackatrait™ trait categories |
| Carbon credit revenue | YieldMax Duo™ | Enhanced root architecture, 8–15 t CO₂/ha sequestration potential |
| Research/trials | Multiple varieties | Compare performance across your specific conditions |
For more information on getting started with hemp farming, read our complete guide to UK hemp farming, learn about the benefits for farmers, or explore the environmental impact of hemp cultivation.
