Source: MagicValley.com
BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota’s first crop of industrial hemp is showing promise, with returns better than a lot of other commodities.
Three farming operations in three counties grew hemp this year under a federally approved research program. The goal is to determine whether hemp can be a successful crop in North Dakota.
Hemp fiber and oil can be used in numerous products, but production has been limited because federal drug law doesn’t differentiate between hemp and its cousin, marijuana.
“Without a doubt, there was a lot of value in this program,” Seifert-Spilde told The Bismarck Tribune. “There were some good yields and very few hiccups.”
The state research program will be conducted again next year. The Agriculture Department will announce in October when grower applications are due.