USDA Has Warnings For Growers Looking At Getting Into Hemp Production

Many farmers nationwide and across the Northwest, are excited about growing hemp.

However, the USDA has several words of caution.

"Just like every other crop has it's risks and rewards hemp is not without its production risks and difficulties either," said USDA Undersecretary Greg Ibach.

One risk he notes is that  weather or some other factor could cause the THC levels in the crop to exceed the legal limit.  Bill Northey added if that happens you could be stuck with a worthless crop.

"It's white likely that a high THC level will not be covered for crop insurance," Northey noted.  "There may be lots of reasons it could happen, but I think that cause of lost of a high THC will not likely be covered in the crop insurance policy; at least that's the way the whole farm revenue protection policy is set up now."

But Ibach added at this point, the biggest risk for a grower jumping into the hemp pool, planting a crop without a destined processor or a buyer.

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