Hemp IPM Working Group
Project Director: Elizabeth Y. Long — Purdue University
Leading up to 2020, the industrial hemp market saw explosive growth in the Corn Belt. Despite these advancements, limited knowledge regarding hemp pests exists for growers, stakeholders and researchers. Whether hemp is grown for CBD, fiber, or seed (indoors or outdoors), this crop faces a suite of pests that may vary across hemp varieties and growing environments. Currently, growers in the Midwest have very limited resources to turn to for pest management recommendations in their hemp crops.
U.S. hemp growers face some uncertainty regarding the identification of pests (plant, insect, or pathogen) that appear in their crop, as well as uncertainty regarding the need for intervention because no action or economic thresholds exist for hemp pests. Additionally, pesticide options and recommendations for hemp pests are extremely limited at present. The Hemp IPM Working Group (HIPMWG) will work to integrate the knowledge and experience of entomologists, pathologists, weed scientists, and stakeholders nationwide who are engaged in industrial hemp production, to meet the challenges that currently face North Central growers.
Achievements
- Regular twice a month zoom meetings; team of over 50 members
- Draft of IPM priorities for hemp crop
- In-person meeting held in 2022