Hops
Learn about producing hops in Ontario, including crop agronomy, pest management, seasonal activities in the hop yard and more.
Overview
Small-scale commercial hop production has re-emerged across the province of Ontario. Although the largest buyer of local hops is the craft beer industry, hops can also be used for other value-added products such as:
- non-alcoholic culinary applications
- personal care products
- medicinal supplements
- other herbal products
- ornamental and gardening uses
Implementing best practices for production, harvest and post-harvest activities can improve quality. Doing research and business planning on crop production requirements, pest management challenges and market appropriate varieties is critical for success. For resources for hop production, visit:
- OMAFRA Hop Crop Profile (Specialty Cropportunities)
- OMAFRA Brewer’s Guide to Ontario-Grown Hop Varieties 2022–2023
- 2020 AAFC PMC Crop Profile for Hops in Canada
- Introduction to Hop Production (2016 Presentation by Evan Elford)
- Introduction to Hop Pest Management (2016 Presentation by Dr. Melanie Filotas)
- Hop Harvest Timelines in Ontario
- Stringing a Hop Yard
- BBCH Scale
Crop management
To learn more about managing hops, including soil testing, nutrient deficiency identification, and fertility guidelines, visit:
- Hop fertility guidelines (2020)
- Nutrient Deficiency ID Guide for Hops
- OMAFRA accredited soil and plant tissue testing services
- Hop scouting pocket guide for the U.S. Upper Midwest and Northwest, and Eastern Canada
- Field Guide for Integrated Pest Management in Hops, Third Edition
Pest management
For information on how to manage pests in your hops crops, refer to:
- Calibrating airblast sprayers
- University of Guelph, Agriculture and Food Laboratory: Pest Diagnostic Clinic
- Hop Pest Control Products List (2021)
Harvest and post-harvest resources
For harvest and post-harvest resources, including information on analytical testing, visit:
- UVM Hop Harvest Moisture Calculator (University of Vermont)
- Ontario Agri-Food Venture Centre (OAFVC): Services
- A&L Canada Laboratories Inc.
- Alliance Analytical Labs: Hops Testing and Alcoholic Beverage Testing
- Houblon des Appalaches
- NC Research & Innovation: Hops Analysis Services
Business management
Use the following enterprise budgets for small scale hop production:
- Hop Growers of America: 5 Acre Hop Enterprise Budget
- Hop Growers of America: 10 Acre Hop Enterprise Budget
- Hop Growers of America: 20 Acre Hop Enterprise Budget
Supplies and equipment
For resources on where to buy supplies and equipment for hop production, visit:
- Simple Earth Hops: hop trellis plans
- Gintec Shade Technologies Inc.
- Good Rope Company, Inc.
- Oakland Shading Company
- H & W Equipment, Inc.
- Millenniumsoils Coir
- S.L. Natural Fibre Products Inc.
To purchase hop plants, visit: