Industrial Hemp in Kansas

Sorry!  Not For Smoking!

I have been hearing more and more talk about industrial hemp.  I thought it would be useful to provide some information.  Industrial hemp is different than the marijuana plant we are familiar with.  It only contains a small percentage of THC in comparison.  Industrial Hemp is being looked at in Kansas and surrounding states as another commodity to grow, alongside our traditional crops.  Industrial hemp can provide hemp oil produced from the seeds and plant material.   Stalks can be used to produce rope, blankets and paper.  The oil has many uses from cooking oil which contains essential omega fatty acids to skin care products.  It can grow to 6’ – 15’ tall and provide approx.. 5,300 lbs. of plant material per acre which converts to 1,200 lbs. of fiber.  It can produce approx. 22 gallons of hemp oil per acre and 530 lbs. of meal.  You may start hearing more about industrial hemp as we look for more alternative crops.

Resisting Change? You Might Want To Consult The Past!

Should we keep an open mind on something like hemp production in Kansas?  I think it is always good to look back at history and factor that into the statements we make.  I recall when cotton first came to Kansas back in the mid 90’s and all we heard was why we couldn’t grow cotton in Kansas.  Season isn’t long enough, Gin is too far away, costly spraying, too much 2,4D in our area etc. etc.  Cotton has now become a viable option for producers in southern Kansas counties.  When no till farming first hit the farm scene it was quickly shot down.  You will get a hard pan, can’t control weeds, can’t get through the residue, etc.   No till has now been incorporated into most of our Kansas farms at various levels and has improved crop production significantly.  As we hear more about crops such as hemp, I wonder if we should keep an open mind?

When Can We Plant Industrial Hemp in Kansas?

The production of industrial hemp has cleared some hurdles but don’t run out and plant just yet.  Regulations still need to be written and put into place before that can happen.   If you wish to try industrial hemp you would need to seek a permit to do so in Kansas and you better be able to pass a background check.  At the beginning, this crop will be somewhat controlled due to its more popular cousin marijuana.  THC is the culprit and industrial hemp still contains a small amount within the plant but only about .3%.  Regular marijuana contains anywhere from 3 – 30% THC.  Although the plants look  similar they are grown for different reasons.  The fibers produced in the marijuana plant have a low tensile strength however industrial hemp has strong fibers well suited for many uses.  With low grain prices maybe industrial hemp needs further consideration and study.