Hemp Varieties Comparison: Choosing the Right Cultivar for Your UK Farm

Introduction

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.

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.

Grain Yield Comparison

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

"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 integrated trait improvements across five categories per variety. Each variety receives the modifications most relevant to its market purpose. Explore the full range on our varieties page.

Five 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.

2. Seed Yield & Oil

BritGrain Auto™ and YieldMax Duo™ are designed to deliver improved agronomic performance compared to conventional grain varieties, with optimisations targeting commercial viability in food and health markets.

3. Fibre Quality

LongLine Fibre™ and YieldMax Duo™ are designed with superior processing characteristics for industrial applications, targeting reduced processing costs and increased value per tonne of straw.

4. Root & Carbon

YieldMax Duo™ is designed with enhanced environmental resilience and sustainability benefits, positioning it for emerging carbon and environmental markets.

5. Climate Resilience

All three Precision Plants varieties are designed for reliable performance across UK growing conditions, with improvements targeting consistent results regardless of region or season.

"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.

Our Recommendations

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.