HEMP GENETICS
MP ICS
International
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HGI
H E M P GENETICS International
HGI
H E M P G E N E T I C S I n t e r n a t i o n a l
Industrial Hemp Production Description
Hemp is a valuable oilseed crop grown for its grain. It is typically dioecious (separate male & female plants). Hemp varieties have exhibited considerable differences in height, maturity, and seed size. The highest yielding hemp grain varieties in Western Canada are CRS-1, Crag, CFX-1, CFX-2, and Finola (small seeded). Season ranges from 100 to about 115 days. A hemp bushel weights 44 lbs, or approximately 260gm /.5L.
Field Selection
Hemp grows best on clean, fertile, medium textured land, on cereal or pulse crop stubble that is free of herbicide residues i.e. Odyssey. Organic hemp crops are best preceded by perennial alfalfa breaking or a GM plow down (i.e. SSNS-1 fababeans).
Seeding
Seed hemp shallow, but into moisture (0.5 ~ 1.0+ inches), ideally after the soil temperature has reached 8 ~ 10C+. Hemp is quite frost tolerant. Average seeding dates for hemp vary from mid May to early June. Expect germination in 2 to 4 days and emergence within 4 to 7 days. Reduce airflow on air distribution systems to prevent seed damage. Seeding rates are 25 to 30lbs / acre, and expect approximately $35 to $60 / acre seed cost. Government regulations require use of pedigreed seed.
Fertilizer
Hemp responds very favorably to fertility, but is very sensitive to higher rates placed too close or with the seed. Conventional producers should fertilize with rates similar to canola, but with more N, about 100 lbs/acre +. Organic producers are recommended to precede a hemp crop with a perennial alfalfa breaking or green manure plow down. Hemp yields are usually about 60% of canola, conventional crops averaging 20 to 30+ bu/acre, yields are considerably higher for irrigated crops (+ 50%) and more variable in organic crops.
Weed, Disease & Pest Management
Weeds are best controlled through proper field selection, a pre-seeding burn-off, high rates of fertility, and selecting the proper hemp variety based on height. Hemp has few disease and pest problems. Hemp has limited susceptibility to sclerotinia / botrytis in wetter years. Note there are no pesticides, herbicides nor fungicides registered for use on hemp in Western Canada for grain production.
Harvest, Drying & Storage
Most producers prefer to straight combine hemp while it is still “green / immature” to minimize fiber wrapping. Depending on variety and combine, thresh from 11% to 17% moisture
101
(dry is 10% - stores best at 8%). Minor fiber wrapping may occur depending on hemp variety with 10 ~ 15 year old combines i.e. JD9600, 2188’s / 2388’s, and very little or none with newest, i.e. CIH 8010’s / JD 9770 STS’s. Dry or aerate hemp grain immediately off combine to 8%, heated air works well. Rotate stored hemp grain at change of seasons (spring / summer) to reduce moisture migration / spoilage. Move and unload hemp at reduced speeds and using large diameter augers. Cut or haybine remaining 3 foot stubble within a few days and bale at 12% moisture, or alternately incorporate with heavy duty disc.
Licensing & THC sampling
Industrial hemp producers are required by law to be licensed with Health Canada. Producers are required apply for a cultivation license which includes GPS co-ordinates for the field(s), and a criminal record check. Some varieties require mid-season sampling for THC content by licensed agrologist, others are exempt. A copy of Health Canada’s license forms can be obtained from: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/alt_ formats/hecs-sesc/pdf/pubs/precurs/ hemp_app-chanvre_dem_e.pdf Health Canada TEL 613 954 6524
Plant Genetics for the
Natural
World 2010 Hemp Grain Varieties CFX-2 New for 2010
HGI
H E M P G E N E T I C S I n t e r n a t i o n a l
For further information contact Kevin Friesen Operations Manager Hemp Genetics International Inc. 604 607 4953 cell 604 882 7406 fax
[email protected] Garry Meier President Hemp Genetics International Inc. 306 873 7652 cell
• Shortest stature large-seeded variety on market • High yielding • Moderately short season ~ 103 days • Best suited for northern prairies • Very limited commercial quantities • Pricing $2.00/lb • Seeding rate ~ 25/lbs/acre
CRAG**
• Very large-seeded • Full season ~ 110+ days • Best suited for southern prairies • Similar height to CRS-1 • Value pricing $1.50/lb • Seeding rate ~ 25/lbs/acre
HGI
USO 14**
• Large-seeded / High yielding • Moderate season ~ 105 days • Best suited for central prairies • Slightly taller than CFX-2 • Pricing $2.00/lb • Seeding rate ~ 25/lbs/acre
• Very large seeded • Dual purpose variety – both grain and fiber - Monoecious GENETICS • Full season ~ 110+ days International • Best suited for southern prairies • Taller than CRS-1 / CRAG • Value pricing $1.50 /lb • Seeding rate ~ 25/lbs/acre
CRS-1** New in 2009
SSNS-1 Fababean
CFX-1** New in 2009
• Very large-seeded • Highest yielding grain variety in Western Canadian National Hemp Trials • Full season ~ 110+ days • Best suited for southern prairies • About 6+ inches taller than CFX-1 • Pricing $2.00/lb • Seeding rate ~ 25/lbs/acre
H E M P
• Small seeded fababean • Green manure plowdown variety – high nitrogen fixation • Pricing $0.30/lb • Seeding rate ~ 90/lbs/acre
** denoted variety is expected to be exempt from THC sampling requirements in 2010
