Ontario Hop Growers' Association The OHGA is a not-for-profit association of hop growers, families and enthusiasts who are interested in supporting the growth of the hop industry in Ontario.
Hop yard or hop plantation are two terms frequently used to describe a farm that produces hops on a commercial scale. The hops can be used for a variety of things, but are most often used in the brewing industry. Hops are a perennial plant with an aggressive growth pattern that require good growing conditions if maximum yields are to be expected. Hop plants grow best in well-drained, fertile soil, receiving high amounts of sunlight, in a location with good air circulation and a relatively dry climate.
Under ideal growing conditions a hop plant can produce for 25 years or more. The development of a hop yard requires an investment into land, equipment, irrigation systems, hop plants and a trellis support system. Hop plants will reach production maturity in 3 to 5 years; this is when hop crop returns are maximized.
With establishment costs for a single acre being approximately $15,000 CND, there are a few things potential growers might want to consider before hand:
- Speak with some local hop grower in your local area to see which culitvars (varieties) are growing well in the region
- Examine results of available regional hop research variety trials
- Talk to local brewers to find out their preferences/requirements for hop cultivars
- Look for rhizome suppliers; be sure to look for quality root-stock (it should be healthy and disease-free)
- Plant a some trial rhizomes on the proposed land before comitting to a large purchase
- Choose cultivars that have characteristics suitable for your geographical region and soil type
- Plant varieties that will mature at different times to make harvesting easier (ex. early, mid and late harvest)
For more information on the different inputs needed on a hopfarm, please visit our pest, weed and soil management pages, as well as our resource page which provides helpful links and book suggestions.