Quality seed is an essential part of any production system. Yields, disease and pest resistance, drought resistance, and stand uniformity are just a few of the many value traits targeted in crop seed development. Hemp will undergo considerable transformation over the coming decade as competent professionals apply rigor to the development of hemp seed genetics. Hemp farmers continue to suffer at the mercy of unscrupulous or incompetent seed sellers.
Seed breeders have primarily focused on cannabinoids, in lockstep with that burgeoning, volatile segment. Others, like New West Genetics, have leveraged microbiology and statistical analysis in the development of novel, multipurpose varieties. Wendy Mosher joined a panel discussion at the winter Hemp Summit on Jan. 14 and relayed the company’s accomplishments, and goals to develop hemp crop genetics. Her focus on dual-purpose crops places New West at the leading edge of sustainable hemp production in the U.S.
Seed breeders have an important role in developing sustainable production systems for hemp. Livestock feed is expected to drive hemp production significantly, once hemp seed is cleared for feeding livestock or poultry.
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