Yes, hemp has similar nutrient needs as canola and especially requires added nitrogen. Fertilize like rapeseed (Canola- Brassica napus) with 15% additional nitrogen. Conventional NPKS (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur) fertilization is recommended at the same levels required to grow rapeseed. Apply additional K and S wherever soils are deficient in these elements.
Yes, hemp has similar nutrient needs as canola and especially requires added nitrogen. Fertilize like rapeseed (Canola- Brassica napus) with 15% additional nitrogen. Conventional NPKS (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur) fertilization is recommended at the same levels required to grow rapeseed. Apply additional K and S wherever soils are deficient in these elements.
Hemp grain harvesting is generally done by straight combining, however swathing is also used. Visit the University of Wisconsin Extension's Industrial Hemp Agronomics guide for more information on hemp harvesting.
For CBD production, harvest is usually done by hand by cutting the whole plants and hanging in a barn to dry. Some growers will mechanize the process by modifying combines or other equipment to strip flowers/biomass from branches and then dry quickly with industrial dryers. Green flowers and biomass will heat and spoil quickly if not properly dried within hours of harvesting.
Hemp grain harvesting is generally done by straight combining, however swathing is also used. Visit the University of Wisconsin Extension's Industrial Hemp Agronomics guide for more information on hemp harvesting.
For CBD production, harvest is usually done by hand by cutting the whole plants and hanging in a barn to dry. Some growers will mechanize the process by modifying combines or other equipment to strip flowers/biomass from branches and then dry quickly with industrial dryers. Green flowers and biomass will heat and spoil quickly if not properly dried within hours of harvesting.
Generally, for grain-type varieties, crop maturity is between 90- 120 days after planting, depending on the variety and local climatic conditions. Hemp grain/seed is harvested when approximately 75 percent of the seeds are ripe and it starts to shatter. High winds can accelerate shattering. Bird predation can also be a major problem. Recommendations are to harvest at 18-20 percent moisture and immediately begin the drying process. Dry grain to 8-10 percent moisture for storage. Visit the University of Wisconsin Extension's Industrial Hemp Agronomics guide for more information on hemp harvesting.
When growing hemp for CBD production, the grower should be testing the crop regularly for CBD and THC levels. For most varieties, flowering is triggered by changes in day length. However, there are some auto-flowering varieties that are day-length independent and will flower after a set number of days. Most high-CBD varieties will flower for about 6 weeks before harvest occurs, typically at the end of September or early October. Most CBD growers will test their crop weekly during flowering. The goal is to harvest at the time when the hemp is at the peak CBD levels, but still under 0.3% Total THC.
Generally, for grain-type varieties, crop maturity is between 90- 120 days after planting, depending on the variety and local climatic conditions. Hemp grain/seed is harvested when approximately 75 percent of the seeds are ripe and it starts to shatter. High winds can accelerate shattering. Bird predation can also be a major problem. Recommendations are to harvest at 18-20 percent moisture and immediately begin the drying process. Dry grain to 8-10 percent moisture for storage. Visit the University of Wisconsin Extension's Industrial Hemp Agronomics guide for more information on hemp harvesting.
When growing hemp for CBD production, the grower should be testing the crop regularly for CBD and THC levels. For most varieties, flowering is triggered by changes in day length. However, there are some auto-flowering varieties that are day-length independent and will flower after a set number of days. Most high-CBD varieties will flower for about 6 weeks before harvest occurs, typically at the end of September or early October. Most CBD growers will test their crop weekly during flowering. The goal is to harvest at the time when the hemp is at the peak CBD levels, but still under 0.3% Total THC.
Yields can vary widely depending on the variety, local climatic conditions, cultivation method, and grower experience. For grain, new growers have reported yields between 250- 700 lbs/acre. More experienced growers can expect between 800- 1,800+ lbs/acre.
For fiber, the average yield for dual-purpose crops (those varieties which are harvested for grain and fiber) is 0.75- 2 tons/acre. For hemp produced solely for fiber, the average yield is between 3-5 tons per acre.
For CBD, yields are between 0.5- 2 pounds of flower per plant. That would be approximately 1000- 4000 pounds per acre depending on planting density.
Yields can vary widely depending on the variety, local climatic conditions, cultivation method, and grower experience. For grain, new growers have reported yields between 250- 700 lbs/acre. More experienced growers can expect between 800- 1,800+ lbs/acre.
For fiber, the average yield for dual-purpose crops (those varieties which are harvested for grain and fiber) is 0.75- 2 tons/acre. For hemp produced solely for fiber, the average yield is between 3-5 tons per acre.
For CBD, yields are between 0.5- 2 pounds of flower per plant. That would be approximately 1000- 4000 pounds per acre depending on planting density.
The MDA Hemp Program has compiled a summary of THC Testing data for all regulatory samples that have been collected from 2016 through 2023. The document THC Test Results Summary by Variety lists the total number of samples collected for each variety and the average THC level across all samples. Please use this information for reference purposes only. There are many factors that affect the THC level of a mature plant--genetics, nutritional and light regime, and timing and method of sampling.
Different varieties are better for different purposes. Whether you chose to grow for fiber, grain, or CBD production will determine which varieties you will want to grow. You may refer to either the Health Canada List of Approved Cultivars for the 2017 Growing Season or the OECD List of Varieties eligible for seed certification (pages 132-133) (PDF) for top performing varieties for grain and fiber production.
In 2017, the University of Minnesota conducted an agronomic study of commercially available industrial hemp varieties to compare grain and oil yields across various agricultural regions of Minnesota. Please read the summary of the University of Minnesota variety trials for more information.
Varieties that are grown for CBD production will generally have 10% or higher CBD content and 0.3% THC or less at the time of harvest. Ideally the seed will be feminized to ensure only females grow. Growers sometimes will plant female clones to ensure all females are planted in the field. High-CBD, feminized seeds are expensive, generally $1 per seed.
The MDA Hemp Program has compiled a summary of THC Testing data for all regulatory samples that have been collected from 2016 through 2023. The document THC Test Results Summary by Variety lists the total number of samples collected for each variety and the average THC level across all samples. Please use this information for reference purposes only. There are many factors that affect the THC level of a mature plant--genetics, nutritional and light regime, and timing and method of sampling.
Different varieties are better for different purposes. Whether you chose to grow for fiber, grain, or CBD production will determine which varieties you will want to grow. You may refer to either the Health Canada List of Approved Cultivars for the 2017 Growing Season or the OECD List of Varieties eligible for seed certification (pages 132-133) (PDF) for top performing varieties for grain and fiber production.
In 2017, the University of Minnesota conducted an agronomic study of commercially available industrial hemp varieties to compare grain and oil yields across various agricultural regions of Minnesota. Please read the summary of the University of Minnesota variety trials for more information.
Varieties that are grown for CBD production will generally have 10% or higher CBD content and 0.3% THC or less at the time of harvest. Ideally the seed will be feminized to ensure only females grow. Growers sometimes will plant female clones to ensure all females are planted in the field. High-CBD, feminized seeds are expensive, generally $1 per seed.
