North Dakota's first industrial hemp crop showing promise

By AP
Source: wahpetondailynews.com

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota's first crop of industrial hemp is showing promise, with returns better than a lot of other commodities.

Three operations in three counties grew hemp this year under a federally approved research program. The goal is to determine whether hemp can be successful in North Dakota.

Program director Rachel Spilde with the state Agriculture Department says yields range from 860 pounds per acre to 1,125 pounds. Hemp is worth about $1 per pound, so its value is much higher than the $280 per-acre cost of raising the crop.

Hemp fiber can be used in numerous products, but production has been limited because federal drug law doesn't differentiate between hemp and its cousin marijuana.

Spilde tells The Bismarck Tribune (http://bit.ly/2cNrXZq ) the state research program will be conducted again next year.