College Writing Projects
Legal Hemp Production in the U.S.
Joelle Covarrubias
Could hemp be the next big thing? Hemp production in the United States is a growing commodity. First let’s talk about what hemp is. Hemp is from the family of cannabis plants; they are separated from marijuana because marijuana contains up to 30% THC. Hemp is classified by having 0.3 percent THC or less. Think of it as corn stalks and timothy, both in the grass family but very different.
The EPA has come out with 10 new pesticides that are deemed safe for legal hemp production. The question is, are farmers using pesticides and if so what kind? These past couple of days I had the privilege of meeting many farmers out west, two in particular in Oregon that grow hemp themselves.
The first farmer I talked to, Jeremy Whitaker stated that “Hemp doesn’t require pesticides as other crops do, it’s really an organic process”. All farmers have different concepts because the industry is still very young.
Richard Macy who operates Macy Farms in Oregon grows thick, heavy, tall stalks of hemp. Macy claims the trick to healthy hemp is after the seedlings have been planted, it is important to go back and physically mold the soil around the seedlings for optimum grown. Richard Macy does not use pesticides, because they haven’t felt a need to. “Hemp propels bugs all in itself”. Hemp plants do not attract disease like other crops do, their roots are natural soil aerators.
Macy’s has 22 acres of hemp; 2,200 plants per acre. Industry standard is 3 pounds of oil per plant, but Macy is looking at 6.
People want organically grown hemp and as of right now and that is what they will get, it is just the way hemp is grown best. Legal industrial hemp production (one of the oldest commercial crops) is helping the industry grow in so many ways for example, it doesn’t deplete natural resources such as water and has less impact on the environment. For the paper industry “It takes four times the amount of trees (in acres) to make the same amount of paper when compared to hemp” Hemp efficiency in industry. Hemp is also taking over the cotton industry because hemp uses less if any pesticides unlike cotton and hemp is more durable, has more production per acre, warmth and absorbency. There are many ways that hemp is beneficial to us, I believe legal hemp production is a growing commodity and will continue my research years to come and so should the general public.
Pictures taken by Joelle Covarrubias at Macy Farms, Oregon 8/29/19
Harvest of Cotton Seed is in full swing
By Joelle Covarrubias
In Georgia, the cottonseed industry is experiencing a good turnout in this year’s harvest, beginning the end of September and ending in mid-January. As of October 2018, genetic modification has been approved by the United States Department of Agriculture, to remove a toxin called “gossypol” from cottonseed that is harmful to humans but tolerated by cows. The removal of gossypol will allow for cottonseed oil to be used in food products for human consumption, bringing the market for cottonseed in good standing.
Genetic modification in most cases, help crops sustain nutrients and grow in an applicable amount of time.
“Genetically modified cottonseed gets misinterpreted for something bad,” said business associate of Chickasha Cottonseed, Sammy Wright. “GMO cottonseed does not require as much water nor pesticides.”
Wright has worked in the cottonseed industry for years and is also knowledgeable in other crops such as soybeans and peanuts.
The cost to produce cottonseed has even gone down due to genetic modification.
“About 95% of cottonseed in the United States has a different GMO variety for practical purposes”, said Wright. “The only concern GMO’s might have, is that no one has taken that step to say no”.
Dairy economics also have a huge bearing on the cottonseed industry this year in Georgia, about 2/3 cottonseed goes for cattle feed in its natural state.
“The price of cottonseed is influenced largely by dairy economics,” said Wright. “Prices are higher from last year because the dairy industry is getting better”.
Cottonseed is the number one choice of meal for dairy cows, and the second being corn. Corn is higher in starch, which is detriment to a cow’s liver, cottonseed is lower in starch making it ideal, for digestion.
“Cottonseed is high in protein” said Owner of Western One Agriculture, Jim Petteys. “The fuzz on the cotton seed tickles the cow’s rumen (primary study of a cow’s stomach) in which it makes the cow digest food a lot easier”.
Petteys is a buyer for cottonseed who sells to dairy farms in the United States as well as Dubai. To put the demand for cottonseed into perspective, Oman has one of the largest dairy farms in the world that has 11 other branches near Dubai and surrounding areas. Almost half of their cottonseed comes from Georgia.
The food industry is also seeking out the rich nutrients of cottonseed oil after genetic modification has been approved to take out toxins unsuitable for humans.
“Cotton seed goes through a process where it is crushed and used for oil and various food products such as chips” said Petteys.
You can expect to see cottonseed oil in food products like cooking oil, butter, salad dressing, pasta sauce, candy and various snack foods. Other uses for cottonseed oil include soaps, makeup, after – sun cream, pharmaceuticals, shampoo and conditioners.
There seems to be nothing that can threaten the good streak of this year’s cottonseed market. It is expected that cottonseed sales will soar in next year’s 2020 harvest with the many demands for food production.
“It is good to see the cottonseed market exceeding everyone’s expectations”, said Western One Agriculture sales consultant, Jackie St. John. “This means that the dairy industry is picking back up, it is a good year to work in the agricultural business.”
While cottonseed is one of Georgia’s most produced crops, the cottonseed industry sees no threat from hemp growers.
“Alternative crops such as hemp, most of the time end up failing” said Wright. “Extension service people get behind something and promote press releases on hemp and blow things out of proportion all of the time.”
Hemp has many benefits that cottonseed does not, hemp does not need as much water to grow nor does it need pesticides or to be controlled by genetically modified properties. Hemp has active studies that suggest hempseed to be more beneficial to the environment than cottonseed.
Wright argues that the hemp industry has no step up the ladder because the funds just aren’t there.
“You cannot grow hemp if you don’t have a facility to process it” said Wright. “The first question is, can you grow it? The second question is, can you make any money?”.
The Georgia state government is strict on what crops can be grown. The government must be this way because it is important to regulate what works and what will not work.
Georgia’s cottonseed industry is far from the idea of the hemp industry taking over. Cottonseed has its many benefits and economic strengths especially this year in Georgia.
This harvesting season remember to be thankful for the food you consume and the products you use because it comes from a farmer. People in the agricultural industry work hard to come up with new innovative ideas to better farming practices and food products.
Contact Information
Writer: Joelle Covarrubias
352-812-5010
Editor: Kati Lawson
813-757-2284
Source: Jim Petteys
(801)940-4005
Source: Sammy Wright
(229)386-5843
swright@chickashaofgeorgia.com
Source: Jackie St. John
352-502-5033
Target Publication: This feature story is for agricultural enthusiast