AMPLIFY™ Hybrid Trait
Hybrid Hemp Seed
AMPLIFY is a genetic trait that doubles grain and flower yields and increases stalk uniformity.
The scientists at NWG developed a breakthrough genetic trait that creates hemp populations with up to 100% female plants; rather than the typical 50%. Since female plants produce all the grain and flowers, and the best performing fiber, AMPLIFY increases yields up to 2x.
This novel trait is economizing the production of valuable hemp products along the supply chain, from growers to consumers, by offering the scalability and ease of a high yielding mechanical crop production.
“New West Genetics has identified and bred a genetic trait that creates a fully female crop, and works in all genetic backgrounds tested. This makes hybrid seed production possible, with known females and pollen donors, and when growers plant the resulting seed, it makes a fully female crop, doubling grain production per acre. AMPLIFY is one of those rare changes that come along only every few decades – it’s transformative.”
Daphne Preuss, Catalytical Inc.
Why make AMPLIFY?
New crops have many hurdles to market, and in tight commodity times it is essential for new crops to compete with and out-perform traditional crops. This allows increased profits and incentives for farmers to take on the learning curve of growing a new crop.
Hemp as a species is ancestrally genetically dioecious, producing 50% male, and 50% female. The females produce all the grain and flower, and males shed pollen to induce seed set in the females. Its common practice in cannabinoid markets to induce greater female percentage through chemical means (hopefully 100%, though the species is finicky and loves to revert to its ancestral state).
I want to highlight how impressive the NWG AMPLIFY genetics look in the variety trials at the University of Kentucky. Not only do they appear consistent with resilience and high-yields, but their state-of-the-art genetic development holds the potential to unlock the economic barrier that has hindered hemp from becoming the leading cash crop in America’s new bio-based economy.
Chad Rosen, Victory Hemp Foods
AMPLIFY is a non-GMO hybrid trait that genetically skews the ratio of female to male plants from 50:50 to 90:10 or higher. The hybrid vigor doubles grain and flower yield, as well as increases the uniformity of stalks in the field. This dramatic yield increase and uniformity allows hemp grain to compete with soy and cotton, opening the door to adoption for food, feed, fiber, and sustainable fuels markets.
The AMPLIFY hybrid trait shows strong heterosis with increased uniformity and vigor, resulting in additional risk mitigation, ease of harvest, and bump for yields. Timeline for commercialization:
2023: Initial seed production and demonstration fields.
2024: Pilot commercial launch with strategic processing partners
2025: Widely commercially availalable
Substantial acreage must be contracted one year prior to commercial season. Existing customers of NWG ABOUND® varieties have preferred access to the AMPLIFY trait.
Top Yielding, US Bred Hemp Seed
The best farmers don’t grow the biggest crop they grow the most economical crop. AMPLIFY hybrid hemp varieties offer a more vigorous crop that uses irrigation, fertility and climate conditions more efficiently than other varieties.
Wilson Johnson, Blue Sky Hemp Ventures
AMPLIFY begins the transformation of hemp as a small acre specialty crop to a large-scale, commercially competitive hybrid crop.
AMPLIFY offers a maximum proportion of female plants along with better overall production performance. These genetics pave the way for doubling yields seen today and enables the crop to compete with traditional protein and lipid sources like soy or canola. Ingredient makers, get ready to include this incredibly nutritious protein and unique lipid source into your product line.
The AMPLIFY trait allows our seed producers to efficiently multiply seed at scale, unlike with traditional chemically feminized seed. This edge makes it possible for the industry to market hemp as a viable alternative to traditional protein and healthy oil sources.
Wendy Mosher, New West Genetics
