Among the most critical needs for the emerging hemp industry is research and development in crop genetics. Hemp breeding has been so retarded by historical policy that growers have limited access to adapted hemp genetics. It could take well over a decade to develop stable cultivars for key U.S. growing regions, ones that meet commercial requirements, as well as cannabinoid compliance.

The USDA recently granted regulatory approval for genetically modified hemp variety “Badger G”. Developed by the Wisconsin Crop Innovation Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Badger-G’s novel characteristic is the absence of THC and CBD.

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