The grower must pay for both the sampling and laboratory analysis. Hemp grown for fibre should be harvested at early to mid flowering stage utilizing specialized equipment. Contracting companies will advise growers regarding the best approach for harvesting fibre crops. A second pass cuts the stubble at the height just above the windrow containing the grain. The grain is combined and the straw is baled in separate operations.
Most growers report success by straight cutting the crop as soon as shattering begins.
Initial experience indicates that waiting for the crop to ripen past this stage increases the risk of fibres wrapping around moving combine parts. The header should be operated as high as possible to minimize the amount of stalks entering the combine. Overloading the combine should be avoided to reduce wrapping. Do not attempt to use the straw chopper due to fibre wrapping. Cylinder speed should be slowed to approximately 350 rpm and a slow ground speed is required.