It is susceptible to similar disease and insect pests as other oilseed crops, such as canola, and should be grown in rotation with cereal and forage crops. Tall varieties are better suited to fibre production, while shorter varieties are better suited to grain production. Plant breeding is underway to develop hemp cultivars adapted to Saskatchewan conditions. Commercial hemp cultivation licenses are only issued for pedigreed seed of varieties listed in the Health Canada List of Approved Cultivars . The higher seeding rate for fibre is due to the need for many fine stems with a higher percentage of fibre in the stems.
Hemp seed is oblong.
Care must be taken if seeding is done by an air seeder. The seed is high in oil and if the air is set too high, some of the seeds will be crushed on the divider manifold. Do not pack too tightly as excess soil compaction will reduce emergence. Optimum soil temperature for fast germination and emergence is 8-10 C. Hemp should be seeded in Saskatchewan between May 1 and May 31. However, earlier seeding should result in taller plants with higher yields.