Archive for December, 2010

December 31, 2010

America’s First House Made of Hemp

by Teri Wallace

America’s First House Made of Hemp.

December 31, 2010

Strong Growth in Hemp Food and Body Care Sales Contrast DEA’s Hostility to Farmers Who Want to Grow the Crop

by Teri Wallace

May 13, 2010 – WASHINGTON, — The Hemp Industries Association (HIA), a trade association consisting of hundreds of hemp businesses, released final estimates of…

via Strong Growth in Hemp Food and Body Care Sales Contrast DEA’s Hostility to Farmers Who Want to Grow the Crop.

December 30, 2010

Hemp, hemp, hooray: Bill aims to aid farmers with new but controversial crop

by Teri Wallace

A bipartisan group of legislators is hoping hemp production will be a boon to Minnesota farmers and manufacturers as demand for the plant and its byproducts continues to grow. The Industrial Hemp Development Act (HF 608) would allow the state to issue licenses to qualified farmers who pass background checks.

via Hemp, hemp, hooray: Bill aims to aid farmers with new but controversial crop.

December 29, 2010

Genetic Future of Hemp

by Teri Wallace

As we welcome the new millenium, there are certain global changes, which we do not welcome. Deforestation, global warming, over population, loss of diversity, and the poisoning of seemingly every ecosystem alive.

What will be the traits required for future industrial hemp varieties? Many industrial hemp cultivators will desire increased cellulose content for biomass fuel production, higher primary fiber yields for pulping, or high yields of extra fine fibers for textiles. Seed growers and processors will require high-yielding varieties with increased levels of fatty acids or other target compounds. Included in this list would also be common agronomic traits such as tolerance to drought, wet heavy soils, salt, cold, heat or humidity and resistance to pests and diseases. The general agronomic suitability of hemp varieties for specialized altitudes or latitudes beyond the limited present-day European range of industrial hemp growing is also a particularly important future consideration.

Canadian and northern European farmers have the opposite problem with the available selection of European cultivars. Few European varieties will mature early enough to allow seed production and variety multiplication in the climatic and daylength conditions of Canada and northern Europe. In 1925, R. J. Hutchinson, the Canadian Chief Officer of the Division of Economic Fiber Production observed:

“A considerable handicap to the growing of hemp in Canada is the difficulty of obtaining good seed at a reasonable price. While our climate is favorable for producing hemp for fiber, the growing season, in most districts, is not long enough to fully mature the seed. Subsequently, hemp seed production trials were undertaken near Ottawa and other stations in areas with longer growing seasons: Summerland, B.C.; Sidney, B.C.; Sanichton, B.C.; Harrow, Ontario; and Kentville, Nova Scotia.  These experiments demonstrated that the only areas in Canada with a growing season suitable to reliably mature seed of such a high fiber yielding variety as Minnesota No. 8 [extinct American cultivar] was the southern tip of the Niagra Peninsula near Harrow.”

This situation has not changed for Canada in the last 70 years.

Reference:

David P. Watson and Robert C. Clarke  International Hemp Association
Postbus 75007, 1070 AA Amsterdam, The

 

December 12, 2010

Hemp Seed for Your Pets and Livestock

by Teri Wallace
 Just as hemp seed is great for human consumption, it is also great for your pets and livestock. Yes, all mammals for that matter including birds require the same Essential Fatty Acids as humans!that their animals are healthier, happier, heftier and less stressed. Because of the high oil content and the fatty acids, the animals actually utilize more of their feed, as it’s easier to digest. Aside from hemp seed being high in protein and fatty acids it is also organically grown without the use of herbicides or pesticides. Therefore, hemp-fed animals are organic animals, free of those substances as well as antibiotics, steroids and hormones. This is a great reason to add hemp seed to your pet and livestock diets or to your birds feed. 

 

  In Canada, livestock feeds are regulated, as per the federal Feeds Act and Regulations, by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Please review government regulations in your area before adding hemp seed to your livestock feed.

 

 

 

Un-hulled hemp seed otherwise known as toasted hemp seed is also great for pets and livestock. The only difference is that the shell remains intact. The shell itself contains many of the same nutrients as the inner seed giving an even bigger nutrient kick. We humans eat un-hulled hemp seed, only salted for better taste. The un-hulled or toasted hemp seed is also considerably cheaper because it requires one less step in processing.

 

Dogs can be fed hemp!

 

By adding a seed mixed in with its regular feed. Smaller animals such as birds, hamsters, gerbils, and guinea pigs can be fed free choice or mixed in with other feed as well.
Some farmers suggest

Sometimes the animal needs time to adjust to the hemp feed so we suggest starting off with smaller amounts and increasing gradually as the animal becomes accustomed to it. In some cases diarrhea may occur for the first few days but will shortly cease thereafter. The daily recommended dose for human consumption is approximately 3 to 4 tablespoons (42g / 1.5oz) per day or as needed. Some will eat it for breakfast then half the amount for lunch.

A general rule of thumb is to feed your animals by weight

or as needed. Some will suggest the same amount as humans, approximately 2 tablespoons (21g / .75oz) per every 100 lbs for larger animals. Others and will suggest roughly ¼ to ½ a teaspoon per every 10 lbs for smaller animals.  “David Wise, a cattle farmer in the US feeds his cattle on a 4.2.1 ratio. His special recipe consists of 4 pounds of soybean meal to 2 pounds of distiller’s grain for every 1 pound of hemp… the key ingredient.”

Cats however should not be fed high omega-6 oils such as corn, soy, canola, hemp seed, or flaxseed. Since their history is purely carnivorous they lack the enzyme necessary for metabolizing plant-based omega-6 and may develop a toxicity from it. 

December 12, 2010

Bulk Hemp Seed Direct From the Farmers!

by Teri Wallace

In the past few years hemp seed has become quite popular as a health food and the sale of bulk hemp seed has increased. Hemp seed is being included in a variety of different products including health bars, special milkshakes, and even in some baked goods. Whether you are a retail store, baker, restaurant, natural foodie, health nut…familiar with the benefits of hemp seed or not, there are a variety of great reasons that make purchasing bulk hemp seed such a great idea.

1. Low Cost - Another reason that you may want to purchase bulk hemp seed is because of the low cost. When you purchase this product in bulk you save a great deal of money, and hemp seed is much cheaper than other products that contain the healthy Omega-3’s. If you want to get the health benefits and save money as well you can purchase bulk hemp seed.

2. Omega-3’s – One great reason to purchase bulk hemp seed is the high content of Omega-3’s that are contained in this seed. Just like other seeds and nuts such as walnuts, the hemp seeds contain a great deal of the healthy Omega-3 fats that are needed by the body. Omega-3’s have been proven to prevent heart disease, cancers, and even strokes, so a healthy serving of hemp seeds can be very healthy.

3. Great Additive - If you purchase bulk hemp seed you will find that hemp seed is a great additive for many different food items. Some people enjoy eating it in their cereal while others enjoy putting it in the baked goods they make. One idea is to mix it in with your pancake mix to have wonderful pancakes that are good for you. There are hundreds of ways to use the hemp seed, which will provide enjoyable food that is good for you.

These are just a few reasons for purchasing bulk hemp seed, and there are many more as well. For a great price you can purchase hemp seed for yourself and enjoy the many benefits that come along with this great health food.

 

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