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2.14.2014

Growing Industrial Hemp Research for the Net Zero Hemp Home Design by Scotty

[Find Additional Hemp Building Information Here and Green Blog Sustainable Hemp Home Information Here.  The following links have not been updated Scotty 2/2115]

In the previous articles on using Industrial Hemp for creating the net zero hemp home design  Industrial Hemp Home CAD designs by Scotty-Energy Efficient Post Frame and Hempcrete creating a Net Zero- Energy.  I supplied the basic building plans for building a 4 bed 2 bath home using a Post Frame build technique and then adding Hempcrete,, for the Wall Construction and Insulation also as floor and ceiling insulation.
  • HempCrete - Hemp Technologies suggests that: 1 x 15kg bag of Hemp mixed with our lime binder will make 4.5 - 5 cubic feet of ”Hempcrete”. 1 cubic meter (m3) = 35 cubic feet (f3) 1 cubic yard (y3) = 27


The first part in this series on Growing Industrial Hemp will be information that I've compiled that will aid in growing the Industrial Hemp Plant for the fibers needed to create this net zero hemp home.  Seed Selection, Soil Preparation, Growing Tips, Harvesting

Just as picking the seeds to grow a backyard garden, field of corn or soybeans.  The care in seed selection should be considered for Industrial Hemp production.  Any Farmer can relate to the desire for a bountiful harvest and just as they realize that it all starts in the seed selection to create this bountiful harvest, the same care should be given while selecting a strain of seeds that has the genes needed for Industrial Hemp Production.   The rest is left to Mother Nature and your talents as a hemp grower.   


For Industrial Hemp Building Uses- Industrial Hemp is planted very densely, as it grows it will perform its own weeding by blocking out the sun and not allowing weeds to grow.
This is worth repeating, since weeds are the enemies of farmers anytime they can be controlled without herbicides is a winning scenario for both the farmers bank account and the farmers land-

-When hemp seeds are sown densely, as the hemp plants grow they will block out the sun and keep weeds from growing.    


 The Hemp plant is also pest and disease resistant requiring no special treatment of harmful pesticides.  Hemp Reports suggest an average rainfall needs of 252 in per year.  Industrial Hemp can be grown in dryer locals as long as adequate irrigation is supplied.



"I will be inquiring into if Livestock, Deer, Sheep, etc would ravage a Hemp Field while foraging for food. For peace of mind I will more than likely set up and use a Solar Fencing System as a protective border that would stop animals for eating my future home."



While good growing conditions are important for a crop to reach its full potential, that potential is determined by the genetic makeup of the plants being grown.


*
Remember the difference between the Medical Marijuana Cannabis Plants and Industrial Hemp Cannabis Plant
generally accepted THC level of less than .3%


This post is about Industrial Hemp for fibers and seeds.  #HempBuilding #BioDiesel



  • The following information provided by Hemp Reports

    • If hemp is grown for fibre, it is sown very densely (a seed rate of 55-70 kg/ha is standard, though for very high quality textile fibre a much higher seed rate can be used
    • hemp grows so quickly, at this density hemp can effectively out compete weeds, and so weed control measures (herbicides) are not needed.
    • Hemp seed may be drilled or broadcast, though drilling is recommended for uniformity. A standard grain drill or modified alfalfa seeder can be used for sowing.
    • the most significant costs of growing hemp for fibre relative to other crops is the cost of seed
    • THC level of <0 .3="" a="" american="" as="" be="" certified="" completely="" disappeared="" europe="" from="" germplasms="" have="" hemp="" imported="" north="" of="" prohibition.="" result="" s="" seed="" since="" span="" to="" varieties="" will="">
    • certified seed can be brought into Canada for approximately $2700/tonne. At a rate of 55-70 kg/ha, this translates to $61.80 to $78.75 per acre.
      • For comparison in the cost of Industrial Hemp to Corn and Soybeans look at the information provided by Agri-View

      • The cost to grow corn, as producers know, depends heavily on location and soil quality. Last year, the total economic costs per acre for growing corn in Illinois averaged $739 in the northern section of the state, $717 in the mid-section with high-rated soil productivity of 86 to 100 ($687 in central Illinois with low soil ratings of 56 to 85) and $635 in southern Illinois.

        Soybean costs per acre were $524, $539, $493 and $467, respectively. Costs were lower in southern Illinois primarily because of lower land costs, notes Zwilling.All economic costs on a per-bushel basis in the different sections of Wisconsin’s neighbor state ranged from $4.25 to $4.38 for corn and from $8.98 to $9.53 for soybeans. Variations in this cost were related to weather, yields and land quality.

        Looking just at the northern Illinois producer records (377 farms, averaging 826 acres)—because of the closer proximity to southern Wisconsin—variable costs were $344 an acre for corn. Specifically, they were: Fertility, $118; pesticides, $44; seed, $95; drying, $19; and repairs, fuel and hire, $68. Variable costs were 14 percent less than the prior year.Other non-land costs for growing corn in northern Illinois were: Labor, $42; buildings, $17; storage, $6; machinery depreciation, $41; nonland interest, $50; and overhead, $57—for a total of $213 an acre. Total non-land costs came to $557 an acre (off 5 percent from ’09).

        Land costs amounted to $30 for taxes and $152 for annually adjusted net rent for a total land cost of $182. Total costs per acre amounted to $739 an acre (down 4 percent from the previous year). The 2010 yields among these northern Illinois farmers averaged 174 bushels. Their nonland costs per bushel came to $3.20, and total costs to $4.25.

        Additional Corn Growing Costs-Higher Production Costs

        • Production inputs include seed, fertilizers, herbicides diesel fuel, and others.  For 2013 per acre costs he is using $109 for seed corn, $145 for fertilizer and lime, $25 for herbicide, $25 for crop insurance, $55 for fuel and repairs, $34 for grain drying, $32 for labor, $29 for interest and other costs.
        • The second is the cost of machinery ownership.  These costs are depreciation (an estimate of actual deprecation, not tax depreciation) and interest payments on machinery debt.  Hofstrand uses $54 per acre for machinery costs.
        • The third is the cost of cropland.  The annual cost of cropland is estimated using the cash rental rate.  By charging a land cost equal to the cash rental rate, the return for producing corn is the return to the farm operator (does not includes the landlord’s return).  Hofstrand uses a figure of $270 per acre for cash rent.
  • Hemp requires significant nutrient demands.
    • The figures of 120 kg/ha Nitrogen,
    • 100 kg/ha phosphate, and
    • 160 kg/ha potash
  • Irrigation is required if precipitation is less than 200mm over the course of the growing period.
  • Harvest period is critical, since after flowering, the quality of the bast fibres starts to decline.

Projected Yields:

    • dry matter yields range from 5-15 tons/ha, of which 12-40% can be bast fibre.
    • The yields generated by hemp depend greatly on the strain of seed being grown, and farming practices and conditions. Seeds bred for area with a shorter growing season, for example, will tend to flower too early, and so will have a reduced dry mass yield.
    • Hemcore has, for example, reported that the Hungarian varieties they have tested have had a 70% greater biomass yield than the French varieties.
    • The natural, or "unimproved" content of bast fibres in hemp stalks is only 12-15%. Through selective breeding programs, primarily in France, Ukraine, and Hungary, the current average is over 20% and many strains have been reported to yield over 30% bast fibre. Only in Hungary has any work been done on developing high yielding hybrids, and so as Dave West points out, "the genetic load of the crop is probably quite high, which would indicate opportunity to significantly improve the crop's productivity."


This information can be seen in full at the Google Document Link 

Hemp Reports

Agronomics

There are two potentially viable approaches to growing hemp commercially: growing hemp for fibre or for seed. If hemp is grown for fibre, it is sown very densely (a seed rate of 55-70 kg/ha is standard, though for very high quality textile fibre a much higher seed rate can be used[5]). Since hemp grows so quickly, at this density hemp can effectively out compete weeds, and so weed control measures (herbicides) are not needed. If hemp is grown for seed, it is grown much less densely (typically 10 -15kg/ha[6]) and is not as effective at suppressing weeds, so herbicides will probably be required. Hemp seed may be drilled or broadcast, though drilling is recommended for uniformity. A standard grain drill or modified alfalfa seeder can be used for sowing.


Pesticides are generally considered unnecessary in the cultivation of hemp,[7] although researchers in Manitoba in 1995 reported that several pests had to be contended with.[8] For the purpose of this paper, pesticide use will be considered to be nil to reflect the majority of findings and hemp's organic farming potential. Another positive aspect of the crop is that once planted, no further husbandry is required until harvest, thereby minimizing labour costs and energy consumption.

Hemp for Fibre

OOperating Expenses:


Presently, one of the most significant costs of growing hemp for fibre relative to other crops is the cost of seed. To ensure that seed strains being used will meet the generally accepted THC level of <0 .3="" 55-70="" a="" acre.="" american="" and="" approximately="" are="" as="" at="" based="" be="" because="" brought="" but="" by="" can="" canada="" certification="" certified="" completely="" continuously="" cost="" current="" demand="" demands="" disappeared="" especially="" europe="" european="" experience="" farmers.="" for="" from="" germplasms="" ha="" half="" have="" hemp="" high="" imported="" increasing="" into="" kg="" low="" north="" not="" of="" on="" only="" over="" per="" perpetuated="" premium="" prices="" prohibition.="" rate="" recent="" result="" s="" seed="" since="" span="" strict="" substantial="" supply="" system="" the="" this="" to="" tonne.="" translates="" transportation="" varieties="" very="" western="" will="" world="">


Although hemp generally requires no pesticides or herbicides, it does have significant nutrient demands. The figures of 120 kg/ha Nitrogen, 100 kg/ha phosphate, and 160 kg/ha potash are used for the purpose of cost calculation. These figures derived from Hemcore's U.K. hemp growing experience are consistent with other research.[10] Irrigation is required if precipitation is less than 200mm over the course of the growing period. Harvest period is critical, since after flowering, the quality of the bast fibres starts to decline.

The operations required for growing hemp for fibre are: seeding, cutting, baling, and bale handling. According to a number of researchers, hemp can be cultivated using existing farm equipment, however, for harvesting some alterations maybe required. The machinery operating, investment and depreciation costs used in these calculations are based on Ontario and Manitoba corn production costs, but reflect the need for more robust equipment and /or higher repair costs due to the toughness of the crop.[11] Storage may also be necessary, depending on the specific end use of the crop.

Although hemp generally requires no pesticides or herbicides, it does have significant nutrient demands. The figures of 120 kg/ha Nitrogen, 100 kg/ha phosphate, and 160 kg/ha potash are used for the purpose of cost calculation. These figures derived from Hemcore's U.K. hemp growing experience are consistent with other research.[10] Irrigation is required if precipitation is less than 200mm over the course of the growing period. Harvest period is critical, since after flowering, the quality of the bast fibres starts to decline.

The operations required for growing hemp for fibre are: seeding, cutting, baling, and bale handling. According to a number of researchers, hemp can be cultivated using existing farm equipment, however, for harvesting some alterations maybe required. The machinery operating, investment and depreciation costs used in these calculations are based on Ontario and Manitoba corn production costs, but reflect the need for more robust equipment and /or higher repair costs due to the toughness of the crop.[11] Storage may also be necessary, depending on the specific end use of the crop.

Projected Yields:

Claims for hemp fibre yields vary radically. Reported dry matter yields range from 5-15 tons/ha, of which 12-40% can be bast fibre. The yields generated by hemp depend greatly on the strain of seed being grown, and farming practices and conditions. Seeds bred for area with a shorter growing season, for example, will tend to flower too early, and so will have a reduced dry mass yield. Hemcore has, for example, reported that the Hungarian varieties they have tested have had a 70% greater biomass yield than the French varieties. Furthermore, three years of trials resulted in average yields of approximately 10.5 dm(dry matter)t/ha, while their first year of commercial crops yielded only 5.0 dmt/ha. Having no seeds bred specifically for its growing conditions, the U.K., like Canada, depends on seeds developed for other climes, so initial commercial results are naturally relatively low.

The natural, or "unimproved" content of bast fibres in hemp stalks is only 12-15%. Through selective breeding programs, primarily in France, Ukraine, and Hungary, the current average is over 20% and many strains have been reported to yield over 30% bast fibre.[12] Only in Hungary has any work been done on developing high yielding hybrids, and so as Dave West points out, "the genetic load of the crop is probably quite high, which would indicate opportunity to significantly improve the crop's productivity."[13]

Initial results from Canadian hemp researchers reveal dry mass yields lower than in other parts of the world. Australian farmers reported yields of 8-10t/ha, Ukrainian farmers 8-10t/ha, Dutch farmers 10-14t/ha, while in the U.K., in contrast, commercial yields of only 5-7t/ha were reported. Jack Moes, New Crops Agronomist for Manitoba Agriculture reported yields from their first year of test of 4500-7700 kg/ha for seven different varieties, while A.E.Slinkard of the University of Saskatchewan reported yields of 7100-9500 kg/ha. For the purposes of comparison, then a low and high estimate of dry matter and bast fibre yield will be calculated. A low , but realistic first crop yield of 6t/ha will be compared with realistic future yields of 10t/ha. Such yields would very likely be achievable on a commercial level after a few years of cultivation experience and seed breeding. Also, a low bast fibre yield of 22% will be contrasted with a high yield of 30%, for a range of 1.3-3.0 t/ha. This difference can be accounted for by seed variety and planting density.

Break-even Price for Whole Stalk (Farmgate $/tonne):


Exhibits 3 and 4 detail the expected costs per acre of growing hemp, and compares it to the costs of growing canola and spring wheat in Saskatchewan, and canola and grain corn in Ontario. Machinery costs are estimated using equipment intensive corn cultivation and harvesting as a comparable, and the high demands hemp places on equipment have also been factored in. The final figures are in line with the experience of Canadian hemp farmers, but lower hemp farmers in some other countries. Australian farmers, for instance, estimated their costs to grow, harvest, manage and secure their hemp crops to be US$240/t. This figure however, includes irrigation and storage costs, and the crop was also picked up by hand after being cut by machine and left to ret in the field. Note that the most significant cost of hemp relative to the other crops is the cost of seed, over half of which is the cost of transport.[14]

Below are the prices required at farmgate for break-even, depending on the yield of stalk realized. These prices are intended to cover ALL fixed and variable costs incurred by the farmer.
Yield (tonnes/acre)



2.5t/ac
3t/ac
3.5t/ac
4t/ac
Seeding @ 55kg/ha
107.24
89.37
76.60
67.00
Seeding @ 70kg/ha
114.00
95.00
81.43
71.25




Next in the Hemp Growing Series will be the Soil Preparation, Seeding, and Harvesting Industrial Hemp- needed to build the Net Zero Hemp Home



____________________

Scotts Contracting. "St Louis Renewable Energy." 2010. 14 Feb. 2014 <http://stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com/>
"Post Frame Building - Post Frame Construction | Post-Frame Market ..." 2008. 14 Feb. 2014 <http://www.postframeadvantage.com/>
"Hempcrete - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." 2008. 14 Feb. 2014 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hempcrete>
"What is Hempcrete? | American Lime Technology Website." 2012. 14 Feb. 2014 <http://www.americanlimetechnology.com/what-is-hempcrete/>
"HempCrete - Hemp Technologies." 2011. 14 Feb. 2014 <http://www.hemp-technologies.com/page15/page16/page16.html>
"White Label Hemp Seeds - Hemp Seed Shop." 2013. 14 Feb. 2014 <http://hempseedshop.com/white-label-hemp-seeds/>
European Industrial Hemp Association -EIHA European Industrial Hemp Association
Hemp Industries Association-Hemp is among the oldest industries- Facts
Hemp is a commonly used term for high growing varieties of the Cannabis plant Hemp
Commercial Hemp Cultivation in Canada"An Economic Justification" by David Marcus*




*

Remember the difference between the Medical Marijuana Cannabis Plants and Industrial Hemp Cannabis Plant

Hemp has a THC level of less than .3%


This post is about Industrial Hemp for fibers and seeds.  




Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotts Contracting- St Louis Home Improvement Projects and Energy Reducing Needs Get Your Green Building Tips and Resources at St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog

2.10.2014

Industrial Hemp CAD Designs Natural Sustainable Net Zero Home




Industrial Hemp CAD designs of 4 Bedroom, 2 Bath, Net Zero Sustainable Home. 

Industrial Hemp Home CAD designs by Scotty-Energy Efficient Post Frame and Hempcrete creating a Net Zero- Energy Efficient Sustainable 4 Bedroom 2 Bath, Gardens, Pool, Basement, Safe Room, Green Roof, SkyLights, Dual Pane Windows, Fireplace, Hardwood Floors, Radiant Heating, Indoor Garden, Hedge, Landscaping, Water Features...see the easy to read CAD Details 


Hemp Home Frontal View- Design by Scotty Net Zero Energy Efficient Hempcrete Home


  • HEMP HOME COLLECTION BY SCOTTY February 9, 2014 Collection of Hemp Home Design CAD Drawing photos showcasing the sustainable lifestyle that this net zero energy efficient home, gardens, pergola, solar panels, solar water heating, pool, garage, safe room, basement, fireplace, 4 bedroom, 2 bath…
  • HEMP HOME POST FRAME LATERAL LOADINg Post Frame Wood Structure Design-Industrial Hemp Wall Construction Its all about Energy Efficiency and Conserving Natural Resources when using a Post Frame Building option with the added benefit: Post Frame Buildings […]

           CAD Detail-Hemp Home Rear Birds Eye View
  • Q AND A WITH HEMP BUILDING EXPERT GREG FLAVALL HEMP TECHNOLOGIES Hempcrete Wall Details by Scotty-  Hemp Home Building Plans Q-n-A with HEMP Building Expert: Mr. Greg Flavall Co-Founder and Technical Director at Hemp-Technologies on the Hemp Home design by Scotty Additional […]

Hemp Home Wall Detail
  • Hemp Home Catalan Vaulted Style Roof Waterproofing-In the previous post I have been illustrating how I plan to build the Roof System for the Net Zero Hemp Home.  This post shows how I plan to both Insulate the Catalan Vault Style Roof System and make it water proof.

Hemp Home Catalan Vault Style Roof Waterproofing Detail
  • Designing My Hemp Home My goal is simple: Net Zero and Affordable In my quest to promote affordable sustainable buildings has lead me to discover a new building product that provides high R-value for energy efficiency and has the strength of concrete.  Hempcrete the new miracle building material!

  Hemp Home Design 1 by Scotty
  • ASK A BUILDER-HOW WOULD YOU BUILD YOUR RETIREMENT HOME? My retirement home will be a Hemp Home!  I feel a Hemp Home addresses the main issue facing mankind today (co2 emissions) without sacrificing comfort needed in both energy and lifestyle choices.

    To ensure that my retirement income will provide the needed security as I age in place my hemp home will enable me to use natural resources in the building of the energy efficient structure-controlling costs in the build and the future energy costs.
     Taking pointers from the first American Settlers:  I will build my home from the land and use as many natural resources as possible.
     Industrial Hemp Home CAD designs
1916 US Dept of Agriculture Sign- Marijuana House Saves Millions Build Your Home Today! Hemp Fiber Board and Hemp Concrete 300% Stronger than Wood Self Insulating Water Proof And More....
1916 US Dept of Agriculture Sign- Marijuana House Saves Millions
Build Your Home Today!
Hemp Fiber Board and Hemp Concrete
300% Stronger than Wood
Self Insulating
Water Proof
And More....





Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotts Contracting- St Louis Home Improvement Projects and Energy Reducing Needs Get Your Green Building Tips and Resources at St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog

2.04.2014

Final CAD Drawings Platform Lift Labor Saver

Platform Lift Final CAD Drawings

  • Enclosed 1st Floor with Gate



  •  Birds Eye View Looking into the Platform Lift Shaft from 1st Floor



  •  Basement View of Enclosed Platform Lift 

Basement View of Enclosed Platform Lift
Basement View 

Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotts Contracting- St Louis Home Improvement Projects and Energy Reducing Needs Get Your Green Building Tips and Resources at St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog

Additional Labor Saver Platform Lift CAD details

Flooring System, Framing Details, Footing, Foundation
-see spec sheet for Fastener Details, Torque and Metal Specs

Example of Cable Location and Attachment Points at Flooring Support Beams.


-making moving materials between floors easy and pain free!
  
1500 lb weight limit used in original plans-





Cable Location and Attachment Points at Flooring Support Beam.


Flooring System Framing Details-see spec sheet for Fastener Details, Torch Specs, Metal Grade

  • Safety Switch Each Gate Kills Power in Open Position

Safety Switch Each Gate Kills Power in Open Position
2 Safety Switch - PWR Kill Locations on Gates
  • Basement View of Support Wall and New Footing Details-Basement Floor Cut away-keeps platform even with Basement Floor Level for ease of loading and unloading of cargo!


Support Wall and New Footing Details
Support Wall and New Footing Details

  •  First Floor View Looking Down into Platform Lift Shaft

First Floor View Looking Down into Platform Lift Shaft
First Floor View Looking Down into Platform Lift Shaft
  • 2x4 Standard Framing-Studs at 16in OC with DBL Top Plate


Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotts Contracting- St Louis Home Improvement Projects and Energy Reducing Needs Get Your Green Building Tips and Resources at St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog

2.03.2014

Labor Saver Platform Lift Design

Electric Platform Lift Design by Scotty-making moving materials between floors easier and pain free!  1500 lb weight limit used in original plans-an inexpensive option to prior post.

Electric Motor and Spool-Platform Lift Design
Electric Motor and Spool-1
added cad detail:Electric Motor and Spool
Electric Motor and Spool-2

Platform Lift Floor Design
Platform Design

Pulley and Motor Set-Up for platform lift design
Pulley and Electric Motor Set-Up for Platform Lift


Runners and Floor Cutout
Runners and Floor Cutout

Design Notes:
  • With 1 shaft operating 2 cable spools will ensure 'level and even' travel of Platform Lift as it raises and lowers between floors
  • Safety Rail Added to Final CAD Design
  • The Simplicity of the setup will add to the longevity of the Platform Lift System as well as the required maintenance needed to lubricate the cables and pulleys
  • Wheel Guide and Basement Floor Cut-Away-keeps platform centered in Lift Shaft for ease of loading and unloading of cargo
  • Inexpensive Option when compared to installing an elevator to move materials. 
Next Post in Series:
Wiring-Safety Shutoff.

Final CAD Details

First Post in Series:

Design-Build ADA Wheelchair Ramp-

ADA COMPLIANT-RESIDENTIAL WHEELCHAIR LIFT AND RAMP CAD DESIGNS WITH BEFORE PHOTOS AND BUILD NOTES

Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotts Contracting- St Louis Home Improvement Projects and Energy Reducing Needs Get Your Green Building Tips and Resources at St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog

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