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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Bio-oils Research » Research » Research Project #444225

Research Project: The Midwestern Hemp Research Collaborative: Participatory Research and Extension for Sustainable Hemp Production Systems (BOR)

Location: Bio-oils Research

Project Number: 5010-41000-185-004-R
Project Type: Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 1, 2022
End Date: Aug 31, 2024

Objective:
Develop production systems for hemp grown for grain and/or fiber with a THC content of 0.3% or less, including cultivar evaluation and development, agronomic management practices, and harvesting techniques.

Approach:
Our project will leverage an existing regional network of researchers, growers, seed suppliers and the Midwestern Hemp Database to conduct participatory variety and agronomy trials identifying best management practices for grain/fiber hemp production in the critical areas of variety selection, field prep and establishment, soil fertility management, pest management, and crop rotation. Industrial grain/fiber samples will be evaluated for post-harvest quality. ARS will perform cannabinoid evaluation on total THC levels in residual flower material at time of harvest (FFR) and determine oil, protein, fiber, and fatty acid composition of seeds (BOR).