If this is your first season of planting hemp seed on your Minnesota farm, you probably have some mixed feelings about the next few months and what they will entail. On one hand, hemp is a highly profitable crop. Hemp farmers have the potential to make anywhere from $16,000 – $24,000 in gross profits per acre. On the other hand, you’re planting something you’ve never grown before, and there are many unknowns in regards to how your first season will turn out.
But fear not. Growing hemp isn’t all that difficult, especially in Minnesota’s climate. Plus, you can learn from the mistakes of others. Below, we’ve discussed some of the top errors made by novice hemp farmers.
Hemp has been legal to grow in Minnesota since 2015. That means farmers have had a couple years to go through a process of trial and error. During this time, we’ve seen some good examples of what to do and what not to do. Here are some of the most common mistakes made by novice hemp farmers:
In Minnesota, frost is always a concern, no matter what you’re growing. Hemp seeds should be planted when the weather is warm and the risk of frost has passed. However, you don’t want to wait too long to plant because then you run into problems with cold fall weather. Summer is when hemp plants do their best.
If you don’t buy quality seed, you’re doomed from the beginning. We understand that everyone has a budget and price is important. But don’t make it the most important factor for your buying decision.
Hot crops are a huge problem. You’ll most likely end up having to destroy them if they test above the allowable THC limits. Make sure you start testing early so you can adjust your strategies before it’s too late.
Weeding is a part of farming. Unfortunately, for hemp, it’s a little more complicated. If the plants are to be used for human or animal consumption (such as CBD extraction), they’ll need to be free of chemicals. That’s why most farmers choose to do the weeding by hand. Plan for and expect this when you’re budgeting your labor.
CBD Seed Co. is proud to be the top hemp seed supplier serving the Minnesota area. Call our office today to place an order for the next growing season.