How Is Hemp Harvested?

Hemp has played an important role in the agricultural history of the United States. Traditionally cultivated as a fiber source as well as a type of oil, hemp has been used in the production of ropes, clothing, wagon covers, paints, inks, and varnishes, among other products.

Today, hemp has evolved in its uses. Now, farmers can cultivate industrial hemp with a THC component to extract cannabidiols (CBDs) from plant tissue, or use it for seed and its traditional fiber and oil purposes.

Learn more about what hemp is, when to harvest hemp, and the right hemp harvesting equipment to use, below.

What is Hemp?

Hemp, also known as cannabis sativa, is a species of cannabis plant that must be re-planted annually. However, it’s important to note that hemp is not grown specifically for marijuana use, as it contains very low levels of THC. As we stated above, hemp was traditionally cultivated for more practical uses versus psychedelic uses. Today it is used for both, along with its nutritional advantages.

How is Hemp Harvested?

Hemp harvesters will find the most success with their hemp growing in well-drained soil with a pH balance between 6.0 - 7.0. Hemp does not grow well in wet soil or on land with heavy clay content. The best time to harvest hemp is in early May to June, and will really begin to mature when there is less than 12 hours of sunlight per day. Full-term hemp typically takes between 100 - 120 days to reach its maximum maturity.

Of course, the success of your hemp harvest is dependent upon many factors, including timing, equipment, labor, and climate.

Harvesting too early could mean your hemp won’t age to full maturity due to the impact of early season frost. Harvesting too late in the season can impact your hemp’s potency (again, early, late-year frost could negatively affect the crop). The THC content of hemp increases during the maturation process and according to many state regulations, farmers must keep their hemp lower than .3%. Any higher and the crop will need to be disposed of completely.

Hemp can be harvested by hand, but it requires a great amount of labor. Instead, farmers are harvesting industrial hemp with specialized hemp harvesting equipment like combines to cover a large amount of land in a short amount of time. Here are some different ways to harvest hemp based on end product:

• For industrial fiber, harvest hemp in close proximity and select seeds that grow tall. You’ll need specialized equipment to cut the hemp, like a discbine, disc mower, or straight sickle mower.
• For seeds, harvesting is a bit more complicated. You’ll want to use female plants for optimum seed yield with as little immature seeds as possible. Select hemp strains that are shorter with a lower fiber production. Here, you can use combines to swath the plants for post-production.
• For smokable hemp flowers, many growers cultivate hemp by hand due to the fragility of the flower.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, you must always make sure your hemp plants are legally regulated, tested for contaminants, and cultivated and picked with the proper equipment. Browse Fastline’s hemp harvesting equipment to ensure your hemp crop is rooted in success.