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Hemp expert urges Wisconsin farmers “get a buyer first”

A seed and market expert says Wisconsin farmers that want to grow industrial hemp next year need to do some planning now.  Legacy Hemp’s Ken Anderson says, “I can’t even legally sell you seed until you are licensed, but it is a good time to be planning for it.”

Anderson tells Brownfield his phone has been ringing a lot since Governor Scott Walker signed the new law November 30^th.  “From the day that the Governor signed the bill, DATCP (Department of Ag, Trade, and Consumer Protection) has 90-days to make the rules, and that should allow us, that in fact definitely will allow us to have farmers getting seed in the ground in 2018.”

Anderson spoke to a packed break-out session at the recent Wisconsin Farm Bureau annual meeting, urging them to make sure they have a buyer before investing in hemp seed.  “We can teach you how to grow the crop.  Most farmers that are involved in row cropping already have the necessary equipment, but what we like to stress is, yes, we can get you the seed but I won’t even sell you the seed unless you have a buyer at the end of the day.”

Wisconsin’s new law allowing production of industrial hemp without going through the university has many producers looking at the crop, which is known for lower input costs, good weather tolerance, and seed sales in excess of 900 dollars per acre.  There are also food and fiber uses for the stalks.

Senator Patrick Testin talks with Brownfield’s Larry Lee about the new hemp law.