Frequently Asked Questions

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1) Field Selection

• Hemp does not like wet weather or wet soils so well-drained fields that do not stay saturated after rains are ideal
• Choose fields with the lowest weed pressure and highest fertility
• Follow a crop in the rotation that results in the fewest weeds the following year

2) Seedbed Preparation

• No herbicides are labeled for hemp so clean tillage provides for optimum control of weeds
• Burn down herbicides with no residual can be effective
• A shallow, firm seedbed allows for uniform seeding depths – similar to alfalfa/clover establishment
• Rolling and packing the soil after planting is a good practice

3) Timing

• Seeding dates should coincide with soil temperatures of 50 degrees F or higher (May-June) for rapid germination and emergence
• Earlier plantings produce taller plants with higher yield potential but is less effective for weed control

4) Planting

• Planting is best accomplished with a grain drill but seeds can be broadcast or planted with a corn planter on 15-30-inch rows
• Seeding depth is targeted at ½ inch with a range of ¼ – ¾ inches deep
• Seeding rates range from 25-35 pounds/acre

5) Maturity

• Seeds mature approximately 90-100 days after planting
• Seed maturation occurs at the bottom of the seed head and moves upwards
• Seed bracts expose seeds when they mature to allow for natural air drying

6) Harvest

• Harvest begins approximately 100-120 days after planting (September-October)
• Grain moisture at harvest should be 12-18% to reduce fiber wrapping
• Rotary combines with draper headers work best but conventional combines work as well
• Plants should be cut directly below the grain head to reduce the amount of fiber brought in the combine
• Combine settings should be similar to Wheat or Canola
• Typical grain yields are 1000 lbs/ac (conventional) and 500 lbs/ac (organic)

7) Post-Harvest

• Grain should be immediately cleaned off the combine and put on air before spoiling occurs
• Do not leave harvested grain sit overnight without air
• Grain should be dried to 9% moisture
• Belt conveyors are preferred but augers ran full and slow can also reduce seed cracking

8) Grading & Shipping

• Grain samples are sent to laboratories after harvest for microbial testing to determine if the grain meets food-grade requirements
• Buyers usually begin shipping harvested grain to the processors between January-December

9) Fiber Harvest

• Fiber harvested after a grain crop should be cut 1-2 days after harvest or preferably the following spring
• Fiber should be baled in large square bales at 15% moisture or less
• Typical fiber yields after a grain crop is 1-3 tons/acre

10) Pests

• Weeds are the primary pest in hemp production since there are no herbicides labeled for the crop
• Hemp is very competitive with weeds but proper field selection and good pre-plant management (i.e. clean tillage and/or burn down herbicides) are recommended
• The two most significant diseases are Grey Mold (Botrytis cinereal) and White Mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum)
• Grey Mold and White Mold develop in high humidity with cool to moderate temperatures and can peak during drizzly, foggy, maritime-like conditions
• Insect pests are not a common threat to hemp grown for grain

Not finding the information you're looking for?  You can find more information about growing hemp here:

(click the green eGuide the top of the page)

http://www.hemptrade.ca/eguide

Industrial hemp is not like your average crop. Because of the similarities to its intoxicating cousin, hemp requires a special license in the states where it is approved to be grown. Check with your state's department of agriculture to apply for this license.

Legacy Hemp only partners with farmers who are willing to contract for the next growing season and who also already have a production contract with a buyer in place. Legacy hemp does not recommend buying seed without a preexisting production contract in place. 

Keep in mind that some hemp products require the grain to be certified organic. This differs from "all natural" and other appeals to the health food industry.  If your production contract is for certified organic grain it could take up to three years to get a field certified as organic. 

Visit our Partnering or our Apply to be a Farmer page for more information.  

As you may have noticed, hemp products are often topics of publicity. Allow us to help get your products the attention they deserve with the addition of hemp grains.

The high shatter resistance and sweet nutty flavor of hemp, allows it to works perfectly as the dominant grain in your protein bars, as an alternative coating to a variety of baked goods, a substitute or addition to granola, or even be incorporated, processed, into a variety of cereals whether hot or cold.  

 Legacy Hemp can cultivate, harvest, and process the hearty and tasty hemp grains you need for a variety of your products. Rich in superior non-GMO genetics our seed not only has a high Brix score in comparison to other hemp varieties but boasts a superior quantity of omegas 3 and 6 and a protein content rivaling soy and whey.  

 Really, hemp gain has unlimited potential in the food industry and so many benefits to consumers. Act now! Drop us a line at the bottom of this page to set up further consultation leading to a production contract to allow us to get you your hemp grain this next growing season.  

You have a great question there! The fibers in the stock and hurd of the hemp plant can be processed into a variety of hemp products.

Hemp fiber has great potential in building materials, animal bedding, clothing, and even as superconductors in electronics for its high natural tensile strength. Products like those used in building material trap carbon, preventing it from returning to the carbon cycle. This aids in slowing the negative effects of climate change.

Next year, legacy hemp will begin processing hemp fibers for some of these applications, but our current focus is on the grains. 

Keep us in mind; write us down. We plan to be processing hemp fiber soon. We too see the value in hemp fiber.