Hey guys, I hope this is the right place to be requesting this information but here it goes. I own a company based here in Texas and we're finishing up our business plan for our extraction/grow operations. I got all the information I needed on the extraction side of things from the company we are working with who manufactures the machines. However, I have been scouring Google for information but can't seem to find specific numbers on the start-up costs for an outdoor grow operation. We're going to be utilizing the 2018 Farm Bill to produce industrial hemp and CBD rich strains that we will harvest and process through out extraction facility. If you can answer the questions below or point me in the right direction where I can gather the information myself, I would greatly appreciate your help! The numbers I am looking for are as follows: How many growers/workers per acre would be required? What sort of commercial equipment (and costs) is required for the planting/maintenance/harvest periods of the plant? (irrigation systems, combines, tractors, etc.) What are the average upkeep costs throughout the grow/harvesting period? Is it better to start with seeds or clones? (I've seen mixed answers on this) What fertilizer is recommended and what would the cost be? I think that about covers the basics and I can extrapolate the numbers to accommodate our business plan. Thank you in advance for your support!
I don't think many at GC can help you with this. Maybe this site can help you out. CBD Hemp Farming Equipment
You might be able to get bits of info from this: I haven't watched the full video, but you might get some of the info.
I cannot answer most of these but I can say please start with female clones as male cbd/hemp plants will produce pollen which could affect otjer cannibis plants for miles, potentially ruining medical genetics for patients who require different cannabinoid profiles. Otherwise sex indoors before planting outdoors. As for fertiliser there are a myriad of options both organic and inorganic, and different things are used throughout the lifecycle of the plant. My current favourites are the biobizz range, nitrosol is great for veg, kelp helps increase growth rate and yield, bonemeal for root growth, etc... Cost, at that scale, no one here would be able to tell you, as most of us here grow in much smaller quantities than acres, and I'm sure you'll be able to find cheaper sources if you're buying in real bulk. But as for a company who's nutrient line I respect it would be biobizz. Liquid nutrients are more expensive than dry nutrients though so you can get dry nutrients too.
I worked for a 3/4 acre commercial outdoor operation. The year round crew is about 5, with about 10 extras for a 3 week harvest. Roughly 1000 lb dry flower harvest weight. Those are thc strain #s.