Last Week’s Hemp Commentary

Hemp Seed Genetics

This year will be another test for hemp seed genetics.  There is no precedent for the hemp seed segment, developing at a rapid pace, and with varying approaches.  Traditional plant breeding underlies most of the current efforts, but several companies are using biotechnology to develop THC compliant hemp for cannabinoids.  Early soybean pioneers weren’t mapping the genome in that crop’s early days.  Today’s technology is largely responsible for the accelerated timeline.  Stability is generally reliable for common grain and fiber type hemp, with Canada and Europe having done a yeoman’s job in developing hempseed grain and fiber genetics.  Cannabinoid hemp is very much a work in progress, with biological limitations to progress using…