Frequent droughts in Missouri in recent years have livestock producers exploring different crops that may be more adaptable for summer pasture options compared to common pasture crops. Researchers at the University of Missouri have studied hemp for this purpose, and their findings are promising.
The hemp plant uses considerably less water to produce a solid yield compared to grasslands and grains in grazing areas. Missouri researchers reported that tall fescue is “the dominant Missouri forage” and that “there are few options to enhance those fescue fields to graze through a long, hot, dry spell.”
“Sunn hemp can be grown alone, combined with other summer cover crop forages in a mix or inter-seeded into tall fescue stands. Most research in Missouri has focused on inter-seeding.” Beef Magazine stated in its original coverage.
“Compared to a legume like alfalfa, sunn hemp doesn’t require super high fertility to be established and productive. It also is a non-bloating legume with a rapid growth rate and high potential for regrowth following a grazing. It is excellent for diluting the toxicity of endophyte-infected Kentucky 31 fescue stands.” the outlet also stated.
“Sunn hemp is tall, fast growing, and excellent forage. This crop is a great option to include in summer mixes, especially if there is a short summer window. It can reach 6 feet tall in 60 days and will regrow if lightly grazed. It dies at the first sign of frost.” the University of Missouri Extension and Education Center states on its website.
The benefits of inter-seeding tall fescue with hemp extends to the fescue itself, with the taller hemp plants providing fescue some shade from the unrelenting summer sun. The hemp plants can handle the sun better than the fescue, creating an overall grazing area that can better withstand summer weather.
“The cost of the seed can be offset by the fact that it has been confirmed by Dr. Harley Naumann at the University of Missouri to produce as much as 40 pounds of usable nitrogen per acre each year for the grass crop it is growing in,” University of Missouri researchers said according to Beef Magazine. “The protein level for the whole plant in Naumann’s studies has been as high as 17% 35 days after planting.”
According to the USDA, “In 2023, the value of hemp production in the open and under protection for the United States totaled $291 million, up 18 percent from 2022.”
“Planted area for the Nation in 2023 for all utilizations totaled 27,680 acres, down 2 percent from 2022. The value of hemp production in the open for the United States totaled $258 million, up 22 percent from last year. Area harvested for all purposes in the open totaled 21,079 acres, up 15 percent from 2022.” a recent USDA report stated.
Hemp farming was legalized nationwide in the United States as part of the 2018 Farm Bill. In addition to federal rules and regulations, states also have their own policies and rules in the U.S. The report also found the following regarding subsectors of the hemp industry:
- Floral hemp in the open: United States floral hemp production grown in the open for 2023 was estimated at 8.03 million pounds, up 18 percent from 2022. Area harvested for floral hemp in the open in the United States was estimated at 7,383 acres, up 4 percent from last season. The average yield for 2023 floral hemp in the open was estimated at 1,088 pounds per acre, up 134 pounds from last year. The value of floral hemp grown in the open totaled $241 million, up 35 percent from 2022.
- Grain hemp in the open: National production of hemp grown in the open for grain in 2023 totaled 3.11 million pounds, up 28 percent from 2022. Area harvested for hemp grown in the open for grain in the United States was estimated at 3,986 acres, down 26 percent from last season. The average yield for 2023 hemp grown in the open for grain was estimated at 779 pounds per acre, up 327 pounds from last year. The value of hemp grown in the open for grain totaled $2.31 million, down 36 percent from 2022.
- Fiber hemp in the open: In 2023, production of hemp grown in the open for fiber was estimated at 49.1 million pounds, up 133 percent from 2022. Area harvested for hemp grown in the open for fiber in the United States was estimated at 12,106 acres, up 77 percent from last season. The average yield for 2023 hemp grown in the open for fiber was estimated at 4,053 pounds per acre, up 983 pounds from last year. The value of hemp grown in the open for fiber totaled $11.6 million, down 59 percent from 2022.
- Seed hemp in the open: Production of hemp grown in the open for seed in 2023 was estimated at 751,000 pounds, up 414 percent from 2022. Area harvested for hemp grown in the open for seed in the United States was estimated at 1,344 acres, up 66 percent from last season. The average yield for 2023 hemp grown in the open for seed was estimated at 559 pounds per acre, up 379 pounds from last year. The value of hemp grown in the open for seed totaled $2.91 million, up 96 percent from 2022.
“The global industrial hemp market size is estimated to grow by USD 6.87 bn from 2023 to 2027, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 17.1% during the forecast period.” Technavio previously stated in a press release regarding their global industry projection.