Thinking about farming hemp for CBD? Many farmers are jumping at the opportunity to make a high margin on a hot commodity. But hemp farming for CBD takes great skill and even more planning.
Smart farmers will quickly learn that hemp seeds come in a variety of strains, each of which produces a different plant with its own unique purposes, CBD potency, and viability. Hemp seedlings or CBD clones will help cut down on some of the guesswork, but there are still many steps you’ll need to take to get a high-quality crop.
Make sure you get the highest yield out of your hemp crop by checking out our hemp farming do’s and don’ts before you get started.
1. Do Source Quality Genetics
A quality crop starts with the right seeds. Source your seeds from a reputable company that has documented, stable genetics. You’ll also need to make sure the seeds you choose will be able to thrive within the micro-climate of your farm.
2. Do Use Hemp Transplants
Hemp transplants will give you a 4-6 week head start on the growing season, allowing you to potentially get a higher yield out of your seeds. Minimize plant shock by using hemp seedlings that are hardened-off and seasoned following the germination process before you plant them.
3. Do Prep Your Land
Before you do any planting, hire a hemp-specific crop advisor to come to do a thorough evaluation of your land. Your advisor should review your historical data and look at the overall soil health, elevations and more to direct you on soil remediation, amendments, and transplant preparation. Taking this step will give your seedlings the best chance of immediate root development.
4. Do Use Hemp-Specific Inputs
Do your homework on hemp-specific inputs. The highest quality hemp crops are grown by accurately applying the right inputs at the right time in the plant life cycle.
5. Do Get Ahead of Pest Issues
There’s a lot to think about when it comes to managing pests when you grow any crop, and hemp farming is no different. By taking advantage of ag technology solutions with a great crop advisor you can identify integrated pest management programs, both for monitoring and correcting pests, that are best suited to your farm and the genetics.
6. Do Minimize Harvest Time
Shorter harvests times mean you’ll be able to make more of a profit off of your hemp crop. Minimize the harvest time by scaling the harvest and post-harvest processes. You’ll end up with a more homogeneous crop and a higher margin season.
7. Do Store Your Biomass Properly
Once you harvest your CBD hemp, you’ll need to establish a shelf-stable product that won’t degrade before you’ve transferred it to the buyer. To ensure you stabilize your bio mass for up to a 3-5 year period, keep your processed biomass in an oxygen-free, temperature-controlled unit until it’s ready to leave your facility. You can also contract a drying facility or use a commercial-grade, onsite drying solution to prevent degradation.
8. Don’t Create Stressful Events
Stressful events can create the overproduction of ethylene in your hemp crop or lead to genetic variances like hermaphroditism and stunted growth patterns. Avoid these issues by using proper input applications and by transplanting hardened-off plants into properly prepared soil.
9. Don’t Let Excess Salt Build-Up
Avoid excess salt build-up in the soil by using intensive foliar programs. For best results, look for a program geared towards bio-stimulation and quick nutrient uptake.
10. Don’t Use Dirty Water
Another way to avoid an overproduction of salt and potential lockout of the crop is by using the right water and filtration systems. Find a clean water source and make sure you have adequate filtration treatment systems in place to produce the highest quality CBD hemp.
Get More Information
Start farming hemp for CBD today by getting the right hemp transplants for your farm. At Imperial Seedlings, we have over 50 years of combined experience in hemp farming and germinating seedlings. In just 4 weeks, we’ll deliver you healthy, hardened-off hemp starts that are free of disease and pests. Contact us today to get more information about our hemp transplants.
