As we gear up for the next industrial hemp growing season, the Redfern Team thought it was the perfect moment to reflect on our successful 2024 Hemp Harvest. We’ve captured a unique glimpse of Graham’s Longhorn cows thriving within the hemp field, and it’s clear they’ve found a happy home amidst the towering stalks. Witnessing these magnificent animals gracefully graze is truly something special.
Despite their daily trampling, the hemp plants demonstrated remarkable resilience, remaining upright and yielding full, robust flower heads. The field, in its entirety, produced an impressive amount of biomass, a testament to both the strength of our hemp and the unique ecosystem created by integrating livestock.
The 2024 Hemp Harvest Re-cap
In the video, Graham Redfern shares insights into Redfern Hemp Co.’s successful 2024 harvest, highlighting an intriguing experiment: the integration of cows into the hemp field. Their interaction with the plants suggests a fascinating possibility – that the hemp’s resin may act as a natural insect deterrent, offering a welcome benefit to the grazing cattle.
As the harvest approached, a critical step was taken, with a Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) sampler conducting the necessary pre-harvest inspection fourteen days prior. The ripening seeds also signaled the nearing harvest, drawing in a flurry of wildlife, beginning with the vibrant goldfinches and soon followed by a large influx of doves.
Redfern’s 2024 trial of grazing cows within the hemp field proved highly productive. The harvested biomass, a testament to the field’s success, will now be utilized for further research, exploring its potential in diverse applications such as animal bedding, landscape mulch, and geotextiles.
The Terpene, Borneol, is Known to Repel Insects
One of Cannabis’ Terpenes, Borneol, has, in fact, been proven to be an effective natural insect repellent through a clever combination of scent and direct effect. Its refreshing, minty aroma, while pleasant to us, is a signal to insects that this isn’t a friendly place. This smell, a key part of a plant’s defenses, masks attractive scents that bugs rely on. But it’s not just the smell; borneol can also irritate insects and potentially disrupt their nervous systems, making them want to steer clear. So, it’s a double whammy: a smell they don’t like and a compound that makes them uncomfortable, all working together to keep pests away.
How to Support Redfern’s Hemp Research
We’re thrilled with the progress we’re making at Redfern’s farm, and we’re so grateful for your interest in our research! By choosing one of our farm-to-bottle tinctures from the Redfern Online Store, you’re not just investing in your own well-being, you’re directly supporting our ongoing efforts to explore the incredible potential of hemp. Every purchase helps us continue our innovative trials and discover new, sustainable uses for this amazing plant. Join us on this exciting journey, and experience the Redfern difference for yourself!
SOURCE:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10418152