Fröskörd av hampa
metoder och tekniker för fröskörd av industrihampa
Hemp is an ancient cultivated plant that came to Sweden in the 1st to 2nd Century and was particularly interesting for use for food, clothing and building materials. Over time, other applications have been developed for hemp, e.g. in energy and health products. Interesting new uses for hemp continue to be identified and this fascinating plant has incredibly versatile applications.In this project, seed production of industrial hemp in Sweden was studied and evaluated. Five different methods are described, four of which are proven under Swedish conditions. The methods are described based on farmers' experiences, using material about the methods collected in visits and interviews.The five methods studied are stripping; hemp top cutting; conventional threshing on the root; windrowing in combination with conventional threshing; and conventional threshing with an additional cutter head on the combine. Of these techniques, stripping, hemp top cutting and threshing with a conventional combine with an additional cutter head are specialist practices with innovative solutions. Conventional threshing on the root and windrowing in combination with conventional threshing are better known methods that farmers may find easier to implement. During interviews, the Swedish growers who managed to harvest hemp seed when Finola was permitted in Sweden were interested in cultivation of hemp and seed threshing in the future, as the economics of cultivation appear promising. However, new seed varieties are greatly needed. The main problems that growers have experienced with higher grades are the lower seed yield and the higher volumes of plant biomass. Another problem with hemp is that the long, tough fibres that easily cause problems during threshing by becoming twisted around parts of the combine.In the future, hemp will be probably as important as it was in the days when it was one of our most useful plants. Hemp seed, which is rich in beneficial fatty acids, will hopefully be recognised for its health benefits. With greater demand for hemp products, the harvesting and processing technology will be improved. It is also likely that short-strawed varieties will be approved in the future, which will make it easier for seed harvesting equipment. Future processing of hemp will probably ensure that THC content is not a barrier to growing seed hemp.