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Project Abstract

Hemp is a resilient novel crop with many end uses which makes it a desirable option for growers across Alberta. Over the past decade, Farming Smarter has worked with InnoTech and SARDA Ag Research to study the best management practices for the crop. Now, they look beyond its growth and into how best to prepare it for processing.

This project explores multiple techniques of hemp retting to identify the benefits and challenges of each. It's primary focus is to evaluate fall field retting, augmented fall field retting, and an overwinter field retting. Beyond this, seeding rates and harvest timings will additionally be evaluated to inform growers of practices to promote the best quality and quantity of yields.

Project Details
Timeline 2024-2027
Principal Investigator: Mike Gretzinger
Farming Smarter
Project Contact: Mike Gretzinger
Funded By:

RDAR



Project Objectives

  • Compare and evaluate three post-harvest straw retting methods for producing high-quality raw material for industrial application
    • Fall field retting
    • Augmented fall field retting
    • Winter field retting
  • Determine effect of seeding rates and plant populations on quality and quantity of fiber production for industrial use
  • Determine effect of harvest timing on fiber yield and quality through the examination of parameters including fiber maturity and ratio of primary and secondary fibers by comparing harvest at:
    • early flowering stage
    • seed physiological maturity stage

Methods

Collaborators & Locations
Farming Smarter Lethbridge, AB
InnoTech Vegreville, AB
SARDA Ag Donnelley, AB

Treatments

Main plot - Factor 1 - Harvest Time:

  • Early harvest (onset of flowering)
  • Late harvest (physiological maturity)

Subplot 1 - Factor 2 - Retting Method:

  • Fall retting (baling in October)
  • Augmented fall retting
  • Winter retting (baling in spring)

Subplot 2 - Factor 3 - Seeding rate:

  • High (450 seeds/m-2)
  • Low (200 seeds/m-2)


This study includes three sites across Alberta, in Lethbridge, Vegreville, and Donnelly. Each location has been prepared with randomized split plots, approx. 1.5 x 6m in size. In Lethbridge, the hemp is grown under irrigation while all of the trials in Vegreville and Donnelly are rainfed. Sites have been seeded into cereal, pulse, or forage stubble. Special attention was paid to ensure no trial was seeded into canola.

All of the plots across Alberta have been treated with no tillage, or very minimal tillage from disking to allow for proper seeding. None of the plots were limited in nutrients and provided with supplements to promote healthy growth. Plots were well maintained and kept free of known pests and disease.

Figure 1: Our plots under irrigation at the Lethbridge site in July 2024.


Measurements

  • Plant density
  • Plant physiology
  • Days to flowering and maturity
  • Weather data
  • Straw yield
  • Swath sampling


Results

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Results

Come back in 2025 for our preliminary data!

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