This week\u2019s hemp podcast is divided into two parts.
Lancaster Farming talks with Shannon Powers from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture about some major changes to the hemp program in the Keystone State.
\u201cThe first is that Pennsylvania is moving to a performance-based testing system for growers who are growing either for fiber or grain,\u201d Powers said.
Performance-based testing, she said, will reduce the amount of testing needed by growers if they meet basic requirements. Reduced testing means reduced costs for producers.
The second change, Powers said, is the removal of the application deadline. In the past, growers had to get their application in by April 1. Removing the deadline makes it easier for farmers to make planting decisions later in the season.
\u201cWe\u2019re finding that folks can grow two crops of hemp in one season,\u201d Powers said.
KP-4 Hemp CutterThe second interview on the hemp podcast this week is with Peter Dushop, founder of the Canadian company Forever Green, distributors of the KP-4 hemp cutter.
The KP-4 is an adjustable-height, multi-tiered sickle bar for harvesting fiber hemp, made by Lithuanian equipment manufacturer Laumetris.
Dushop said the cutter makes\xa0\u201cthe crop manageable and improves consistency and repeatability from season to season, from field to field.\u201d
Dushop grows fiber hemp on the family farm in British Columbia, where he is also developing a processing facility.
\u201cWe firmly believe that processing starts in the field and not necessarily at the mill,\u201d Dushop said.
Learn more:
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Hemp Program
https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Plants_Land_Water/hemp/Pages/default.aspx
Agricultural Business Development Center
https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Business_Industry/Pages/ABDC.aspx
Forever Green
https://www.forevergreen.com
HempCutter.com
https://www.hempcutter.com/
News Nuggets
South Bend Industrial Hemp to Launch Apprenticeship Program
https://www.morningagclips.com/south-bend-industrial-hemp-to-launch-apprenticeship-program-through-kfbs-rkap/
Hemp-Based Batteries to Be Manufactured in Wisconsin
https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/hemp-based-batteries-to-be-manufactured-in-wisconsin/64029
Thanks to our Sponsors!
IND HEMP
https://indhemp.com/
National Hemp Association
https://nationalhempassociation.org/