Selecting a Field for Industrial Hemp Production

Introducing a new crop to your farm comes with many challenges. One of these is selecting a suitable field site for production. Because American farmers haven’t grown hemp for many decades, production data is just now starting to become available. However, one thing we have learned is that growing industrial hemp on marginal soils has the potential to decrease yield.

While hemp is a hardy, drought-tolerant crop, field selection is paramount to success. Planting in a clean, weed-free, mostly flat field with healthy, well-drained loamy soils and adequate fertility levels is recommended. Soils with a pH level between 6.5-7.5, or corrected to are preferred. Industrial hemp does not like to have wet feet, and in saturated or heavy soils with high water tables, it may perform poorly. Hemp is a heavy feeder and with high plant populations, you will always want to get a soil sample analyzed before planting.

No herbicides are currently approved for use in hemp production. This makes choosing a field with minimal weed pressure essential. There are techniques to assist with weed suppression, including crop rotation and cover cropping. As of today, the EPA has not approved any chemical pesticides for hemp production. This makes selecting a weed-free field essential. Consult your pesticide representative for carryover issues with herbicides for hemp production.

While conventional fertilizers provide plenty of upfront nutrients, fertilizer recommendations are best when based on local soil conditions, yield goals, and the desired plant population. In general, managing your industrial hemp crop as you would for a high-yielding corn or wheat crop, should provide adequate fertility. Hemp production typically requires inputs in the range of 100-200 pounds of nitrogen per acre, 45-70 pounds of phosphorus per acre, up to 30 pounds of sulfur per acre, and up to 120 pounds of potash per acre. These figures are only to be taken as recommendations and will vary widely based on growing location and results from soil testing.

If you have any questions about selecting a field for industrial hemp production, please reach out to the International Hemp team at 833-937-4367 or info@international-hemp.com