Industrial Hemp Research
Industrial Hemp became a legal crop in Wisconsin when the 2014 Farm Bill was signed into law. Since then, the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute has been trialing a variety of hemp crops - from CBD to seed to fiber - to test cultivars in an organic setting. The hemp work is led by Education Director Dr. Esther S. Durairaj as part of the Midwest Hemp Research Collaborative, which is spearheaded by the University of Illinois and includes UW-Madison, Purdue University, and Michigan State University. MFAI feeds trial data into the Midwestern Hemp Database and shares information with producers to help them make informed choices about varieties, planting times, and management. 2025 trials focused on best planting dates for fiber hemp.
Interested in diversifying your rotation with organic industrial hemp? This fact sheet presents the results of two research trials on organic industrial hemp production for grain in Wisconsin.
​
Hemp used to be an important crop in Wisconsin in the early 20th century and recent legal changes mean farmers can once again grow industrial hemp. The preliminary results of our research trials are presented here to help guide future work. Some of the initial results include:
-
Planting later (early June) may be beneficial for hemp production in Wisconsin.
-
While planting on 30” rows may have a positive impact on stand counts and weed biomass, it is not yet clear if farmers should move away from the standard production guidelines of drilling on 7.5” rows.
-
Methods for mechanical weed control may need to be adjusted based on planting depth.
-
Planting deeper may allow for more mechanical weed control without impacting stand counts.
