April 26, 2021<\/p>\n
We will continue the statewide Zoom updates we began in March.\u00a0 I originally planned for \u201cThird Thursday,\u201d but there was a major conflict.\u00a0 The May update will be Tuesday, May 4, 5:15-6:30 PM Central Time<\/u>.\u00a0 We will continue this throughout the summer at the same time on the first Tuesday.\u00a0 (If this is a poor timing for many hemp growers and industry staff, let me know.\u00a0 Early feedback was the difficulty for many to join between 8 AM and 5 PM due to employment.)<\/p>\n
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Register in advance for this meeting:<\/strong><\/p>\n https:\/\/agrilife.zoom.us\/meeting\/register\/tJwlceqgrTsiE9T0V6fLZdAsKZ3OmIbLJtWt<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n After registering, you will receive a confirmation email from Michael Clawson (his Zoom account, which can handle 100+ attendees) containing log-in information for the meeting.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Prices to Grow & Market a 2021 Texas CBD Crop<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Recent information suggests feminized seed prices are about $0.25 to $1.50 per seed with an average of $0.70 each.\u00a0 Clones were $1 to $3 each.\u00a0 Some companies are now offering a \u201csale\u201d on hemp seed or clones.\u00a0 This may be due to low demand in the market, with likely further decreasing acres for CBD across the country.\u00a0 This may leave companies keen on getting their inventory moved.\u00a0 Do not let \u201cOn Sale\u201d deter you from purchasing what you believe is the right variety, especially one that is well known.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you purchase clones for $2 each then plant the traditional 5\u2019 X 5\u2019 pattern that is 1,742 plants per acre, or $3,486\/acre.\u00a0 If you sell biomass for CBD extraction at $0.50\/lb. for each 1.0% CBD, and you can safely get 8.0% CBD, then you need 872 lbs.\/A biomass just to pay for the transplants.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Must hemp transplants be produced in Texas?<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Originally, Texas Department of Agriculture intended hemp for transplants after 2020 must be grown in Texas.\u00a0 This is again waived for 2021 due to few sources of transplants in Texas yet.\u00a0 I know of at least two companies with Texas-grown transplants for sale.\u00a0 (If you are a Texas company with hemp transplants let me know.)\u00a0 Contact Calvin Trostle if you would like a referral (not an AgriLife endorsement) to learn about varieties, quality, prices, etc. and make a possible purchase decision.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Texas A&M AgriLife Variety Trials for 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n AgriLife has offered hemp cannabinoid, fiber, and grain trials at several AgriLife field sites from the Lower Rio Grande Valley to the High Plains.\u00a0 We have received little interest from companies for this fee-based program.\u00a0 Perhaps that is a further reflection of the CBD hemp industry\u2019s economics coming down to earth.\u00a0 (Eight companies participated in 2020.)\u00a0 I will have fiber trials at Lubbock and Chillicothe, and a small cannabinoid trial at Lubbock.\u00a0 If you have interest, please contact Calvin Trostle as we are planting shortly.\u00a0 If interested in the entry forms, contact me directly.<\/p>\n Texas A&M AgriLife Planting Date Observations, Lubbock<\/strong><\/p>\n I am conducting a planting date observation in Lubbock for 2021.\u00a0 The objective is observation of photoperiod response in fiber and grain varieties.\u00a0 To recall, a major 2020 issue in Texas was northern fiber and grain varieties flowered within 30 days of planting.\u00a0 (For reference, the U.S. Canadian border is 49\u00b0N; much of Europe, except Italy, is 46-54\u00b0N). These northern fiber varieties averaged 16-28\u201d tall under irrigation at Lubbock (normal growing lines were 6-7\u2019 tall).<\/p>\n I first planted at Lubbock March 26 (Fig. 1).\u00a0 Soil crusts from watering every other day resulted in only a few plants emerging.\u00a0 Then emerged seedling suffered feeding damage we believe from cutworms (Fig. 2).\u00a0 So, a complete loss.\u00a0 The trial has been replanted. \u00a0I will continue plantings on four-week intervals into August.<\/p>\n Fig. 1<\/strong> (left).\u00a0 Hand planting hemp fiber variety planting date observation trial, Lubbock, TX (March 226, 2021).<\/p>\n Fig. 2<\/strong> (right).\u00a0 Insect feeding (cutworms suspected) of the few emerged hemp fiber seedlings, Lubbock, TX (April 7, 2021).<\/p>\n My initial goal was trial sites in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (26.2\u00b0N), central Texas (30.5\u00b0N), Lubbock (33.4\u00b0N), and possibly partner with Kansas State or Colorado State at about 38\u00b0N, a latitude where some of these European fiber lines have grown normally in Colorado, Kentucky, and North Carolina.<\/p>\n I have restarted a set of 13 varieties.\u00a0 I will add a few more if available.\u00a0 This is an observation trial targeting at least 20 plants per date in duplicate single-row plots (Fig. 1).\u00a0 Plots will be evaluated at least weekly for onset of reproductive growth.\u00a0 Potential fiber yield will be estimated qualitatively.<\/p>\n Already\u2014Initial Pre-mature Reproductive Growth of a European Fiber Variety in Texas<\/strong><\/p>\n The first report I received on premature flowering of a northern fiber variety was from the Lower Rio Grande Valley March 31 (Fig. 3).\u00a0 Variety \u2018Hliana\u2019 (also translated \u2018Glyana\u2019), planted March 3, is from Ukraine (46-52\u00b0N).\u00a0 Texas was assured by a Ukrainian agronomist if planted early Hliana would not flower prematurely.\u00a0 It is in my Lubbock planting date trial.\u00a0 We will watch to see if it may return to vegetative growth as the days lengthen, which we have heard occurs on some hemp varieties.<\/p>\n Fig. 3.\u00a0 Industrial fiber hemp variety \u2018Hliana\u2019 (Ukraine) with premature reproductive growth, March 31, 2021, Texas Lower Rio Grande Valley.\u00a0 Planted March 3, 2021.\u00a0 The variety will undergo further observations at other Texas locations and planting dates.<\/p>\n Premature Flowering\u2014How you can help!<\/strong><\/p>\n For grain and fiber varieties, please e-mail me or send digital pics\u2014any where in Texas at any planting date\u2014of their growth and development.\u00a0 If they are flowering prematurely, we need to know.\u00a0 But equally, if they are growing normally, especially for at least 2 months, we need to know that as well.\u00a0 This will increase our much-needed observations in Texas to help us in 2022 and beyond.<\/p>\n Video Series:\u00a0 Economic & Legal Considerations for Hemp Production in Texas<\/strong><\/p>\n Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agricultural Economics<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n This series of 29 videos is available at https:\/\/agecoext.tamu.edu\/resources\/legal-and-economic-considerations-for-growing-hemp\/<\/a>\u00a0 Topics cover legal, contracting, economics, and potential crop insurance.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The website is divided into the sections below.\u00a0 Choose the YouTube video you want to see and also the slides for each presentation (3 to 15 minutes).\u00a0 The full series is ~3 hours long.<\/p>\n Hemp Basics<\/u> (Dr. George Knapek, College Station, g-knapek@tamu.edu<\/a>, 979.845.5913)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Legal Considerations of Hemp Production<\/u> (Tiffany Lashmet, JDA, Amarillo, tiffany.dowelllashmet@ag.tamu.edu<\/a>, 806.677.5600)<\/p>\n Hemp Contracting Considerations<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hemp Economic Considerations<\/u> (Dr. Justin Benavidez, Amarillo, justin.benavidez@ag.tamu.edu<\/a>, 806.677.5600)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Crop Insurance & Hemp in Texas<\/u> (Dr. Steven Klose, College Station, sklose@tamu.edu, 979.845.1138)<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Hemp Plant Disease Diagnostics\u2014Texas A&M AgriLife @ Amarillo\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n Texas A&M AgriLife has designated the plant disease lab of Dr. Ken Obasa, Amarillo, as the primary lab to receive hemp samples requesting diagnostics of plant disease symptoms.\u00a0 It is best to notify Dr. Obasa in advance of sending samples, office 806.677.5600, ken.obasa@ag.tamu.edu<\/a>\u00a0 There is a $75 diagnostic fee per sample for bacteria and fungi, $125 for viruses.\u00a0 The lab can also accept samples from out of state though there is an additional fee ($20).\u00a0 Samples shipped must contain a copy of your TDA license and a TDA transport permit.\u00a0 If you are unsure how to package your sample to ensure it arrives in timely fashion (use overnight service) and good condition, contact Dr. Obasa.<\/p>\n You will be able to download the needed hemp-specific form soon from http:\/\/thppdd-lab..tamu.edu<\/a>\u00a0 The policy for hemp diagnostics and collection\/packaging\/submitting plants is on the back of the form.<\/p>\n Texas A&M AgriLife Hemp Potency Testing for THC & Cannabinoids<\/strong><\/p>\n Sample analyses of hemp for THC and cannabinoids is available through Texas A&M AgriLife labs at Uvalde and Lubbock.\u00a0 College Station will be added soon.<\/p>\n Currently, these sites are not approved for processing of the official THC test you need 30 days before harvest.<\/u>\u00a0 (These are the required samples that must be collected and delivered by an approved TDA sampler\/handler.)<\/p>\n But if you need weekly analysis as your hemp grows in the reproductive stage or testing for THC in hemp products then these labs can handle your samples.\u00a0 For further information consult http:\/\/soiltesting.tamu.edu\/hemp.html<\/a> \u00a0A price and discount schedule for bulk samples includes price breaks starting at 16+ samples to reduce the initial $59\/sample cost.<\/p>\n There is a specific submission form at the above URL for each lab.\u00a0 Payment is required online before submitting samples.\u00a0 Likewise, you will need a TDA transport manifest for sample submission.<\/p>\n The Outcome\u2014Winter Seeding of Hemp at Lubbock<\/strong><\/p>\n I mentioned in the March newsletter I had planted a few hemp varieties in December to see what would happen.\u00a0 Hemp has a reputation, especially juvenile hemp (seedlings), of readily tolerating temperatures to the mid & low 20s\u00b0F.\u00a0 Germination and emergence took up to four weeks.\u00a0 The prolonged freeze of Feb. 13-20 (lowest temperature -1\u00b0F) killed all but a few seedlings of Poland\u2019s \u2018Bialobrzeskie\u2019 that had a little protection from some sorghum\/sudan stubble.\u00a0 As of April 20, a couple of the surviving seedlings may be forming a seed head.<\/p>\n Ongoing Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Hemp Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n We continue adding resources at http:\/\/agrilifeextension.tamu.edu\/hemp<\/a> including under \u2018Hot Topics & Latest Updates\u2019 on the main page.\u00a0 Further production updates will be posted the week of May 3.<\/p>\n Our Hemp Program Twitter Account<\/em><\/p>\n My staff has established @TXAgriLifeHemp to provide regular updates on Texas hemp.<\/p>\n Do you have hemp questions?<\/em><\/p>\n Find regional and topical Texas A&M contacts for hemp at https:\/\/cdn-ext.agnet.tamu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/AgriLife-Hemp-Resources-Personnel-2020-02Feb10-Trostle.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n If you have a question that we can include in our Twitter communication or via this newsletter, please e-mail Calvin Trostle.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/agrilife.org\/texasrowcrops\/files\/2021\/04\/Fig.-1-LBB-Early-Plant-Hemp-Trial-2021-196x300.jpg\")
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<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/agrilife.org\/texasrowcrops\/files\/2021\/04\/Fig.-3-Hliana-LRGV-Montes-31Mar2021-Planted-early-March-2-300x121.jpg\")
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