Grain

Hemp grown for the seeds or grain will be harvested when approximately 70% of the seeds are mature. Hemp seeds are indeterminate developers, maturing from the bottom of the grain head up to the top. Grain heads will have high moisture, once harvested, seeds need to be dried quickly after harvest. Growers are using traditional combines with draper headers with the most success.

Seed cleaners remove green material, immature seeds, and weed seeds (if they are not the same size as the hemp seeds). There are cleaners designed specifically for hemp seeds.

Aerated bins provide the most success when drying hemp seeds. Heat can be used to speed up drying, but seeds need to be turned to avoid hot spots to reduce the risk of molding. Heat above 120F should be avoided. A moisture content of 8-9% is desirable for storage. Canadian drying recommendations

Processing after the seeds have been dried will depend on the desired end product. Cold press machines crush the seeds and get fatty acid-rich hemp seed oil. This oil is added to food products or cosmetics. Hemp seed cake or meal is the bi-product of pressing the seeds for oil. The meal is often used to create protein powders. Hemp hearts are dehulled seeds. The dehulling process required cracking the hulls and removing them. 

Purdue's Department of Food Science has provided a hemp muffin recipe that is high in protein and dietary fiber. Find the recipe here.

Hemp as animal feed is not legal for commercial livestock operations, however, there are ongoing studies addressing this issue. Hemp Feed Coalition