Hemp for grain production in North Dakota

Learn about Hemp and how Who can use it in grain production and information on planting, fertilization, weed control, and pests and diseases.

Introduction to Hemp

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) provides many products derived from female plants' seeds, stems, leaves and flowers. Edible and industrial oils, dietary supplements and beast feed are derived from the seeds. Hemp straws provide the fibre used for paper, textiles, and bio-composite plastics produced from the long, outer fibres of the bast. The short, inner-stem hurd fibre is used for animal bedding, heat insulation, particle board, hempcrete and other building materials.

High cannabidiol (CBD) hemp varieties are sold for recreational use. Plant hairs (trichomes) on leaves and women's buds produce CBD. Epidiolex, a drug derived from CBD, ware registered by the Environmental Protection Agency in June 2019 to treat seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut symptoms or Dravet symptoms in patients 2 years of age or older.

With so many different uses for Hemp, it is important to note that the cultivation management will differ depending on whether the production is for grain, fibre, dual purpose (grain and fibre) or CBD creation.

Agronomic research at NDSU has been focused on grain creation since 2015 because this was the first market for hemp production in 2016. Grain markets have been stable since 2016. However, hemp fibre has many applications and product development. The fibre industry is slowly developing because the resources involved are very scarce.

The production of fibre from two types of Hemp grown mainly for grain can provide farmers with additional fibre income. Earlier, considering growing Hemp in North Dakota, we strongly recommend reading all the information from the North Dakota Department of Agriculture.

Hemp is well suited for growing in North Dakota for grain production. As a newly emerging crop, Hemp has commercial potential in North Dakota.

Planting conditions

Other factors to consider when planting Hemp are the germination rate and seedling mortality. The recommended number of plants is 12 per square foot or 523,000 per acre. With sapling rates generally ranging from 10% to 80%, seed rates need to be adjusted accordingly.

Before planting, do a ragdoll germination test with a damp paper towel at room temperature for six days to determine germination percentage and adjust seeding rates accordingly. Research suggests an increase of 25% to allow for seedling fatality.

A one-year study at the NDSU Landon Research Extension Center compared 3 seeding dates May 22, June 4 and 18. The May 22 date resulted in the highest grain yields. Of three days. We reduced the yield on June 4, and the biggest reduction occurred on the last day of planting on June 18.

Hemp is susceptible to frost loss, so consider the same planting season as soybeans in your area, and avoid planting in cool, wet soil. Hemp does not like wet soil.

Pay attention to the choice of field to reduce anxiety. Hemp is very sensitive to glyphosate drift.

Fertility

NDSU has not tested fertility requirements for Hemp. In Canadian studies, Hemp has shown a high response to nitrogen (N), with a fertilizer recommendation similar to spring wheat, providing high yields

Hemp seeds may be sensitive to nitrogen applied near the seed. Excess or insufficient N is linked to spikes in THC. Excess nitrogen can also slow growth.

Weed Control

At this time, there are no herbicides listed for Hemp. Weed control also includes cultural, mechanical and biological options.

As for traditional practices, by using delayed tillage, you can control early-emerging weeds with the timing of herbicides or pre-emergent herbicides or the use of tillage where necessary. Who can establish the crop faster by planting with reduced row spacing than weeds during the season?

Hemp will not grow fast enough to outcompete weeds in the Well Conservation Plan outbreak conditions, where weeds are not fully controlled. Dry conditions will reduce the height of the hemp plant, and weeds, especially pigweeds, common lambsquarters and volunteer canola, will grow in the plant canopy.

Insects and Diseases

A high number of aphids can be seen on Hemp in August and September. We believe these are cannabis aphids. There are no pesticides listed for control. Natural predators such as ladybugs will come to the fields to feed on them.

Hemp seeds may die from damping off Pythium spp. It is common to see some plants succumb to this disease every year. Hemp plants will grow to fill in the missing plant areas. NDSU Langdon REC research shows yields can withstand a 40% reduction with no reduction in yield.

Hemp is susceptible to sclerotinia white mould on stalks and grain heads. Proper crop rotation can help manage many potential disease and weed problems.