A CROP which US drug enforcement authorities do not allow to be grown there could prove a real high for English farmers.

A Yorkshire company is looking for farmers to grow finola hemp - cannabis sativa - for its financially-rewarding oil and fibre content.

"We have excellent markets for the seed and the plant," said Clifford Spencer, chairman of the Driffield-based Springdale Group. "The seeds are crushed to produce oils for food and nutraceutical uses, while the seed husks are used in animal feeds.

"The fibre is one of the longest and strongest natural bast fibres, used in everything from fashion textiles to a replacement for fibre-glass, which it outperforms."

Finola hemp resembles the plant producing the narcotic drug but cannot be used for that purpose, although the similarity presents British farmers with a significant market.

"The United States' Drug Enforcement Agency bans US farmers from growing the crop, which gives us the opportunity to supply a huge market," said Mr Spencer.

Simple and quick to grow, the crop requires comparatively few inputs and is combined conventionally. A typical crop will produce 1.5 t/ha of seed and a similar quantity of straw.

The seed is worth £350/t and the straw £70/t, producing total output of about £630/ha. Growing costs (seed, fertiliser and sprays) account for £176/ha, leaving a gross margin, without any subsidy or area aid, of £464/ha.

While the crop was not eligible for subsidies under the former CAP, this is not an issue under the Single Farm Payment.

Hemp grows in most soils, preferring loamy types, with seed rates of about 25kg/ha. Sowing is mid-April to mid-May, and it reaches maturity in 130 days, so can be harvested at any time between mid-August and mid- to late September.

It requires only 60kgs (100kg/acre) of nitrogen, normally applied in the seedbed.

Organic farmers can grow it following peas or clover, which produce the equivalent of 60kgsN/ha. It does not respond to phosphate and potash if soil indices for both are 2 or above.

Because it is so fast growing - reaching 1.5m tall inside 130 days - the crop generally resists both pests and diseases well and quickly shades out competing weeds.

The seed is, however, a target for vertebrate pests, so pigeons and crows may have to be controlled and scarers used.

Being a spring sown crop, hemp also enables farmers to leave stubbles over-winter, which may help them accrue cross-compliance points.

"Despite being an old plant - hemp has been grown for 4,500 years - it is a crop with a real future and with real potential," said Mr Spencer. "We expect many British farmers to consider growing it as they reconsider their options, as it fits easily into existing rotations and offers real commercial opportunities."

Interested farmers can contact Springfield on 01262 421100.