Kenaf - Food For People, Livestock Feed, Fiber, Fabric, Paper, Biochar Organic Fertilizer & Carbon Sequestration

Kenaf Make Excellent Food For People, Livestock Feed, Fiber, Fabric, Paper, Biochar Organic Fertilizer, Shade, Beautification, Automobile Interiors,  Building Materials & Carbon Sequestration

Kenaf Seeds Are Now Available For Planting This Season. CLICK HERE For Ordering Information.

Hibiscus cannabinus L., kenaf is a warm season annual closely related to cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.).

Kenaf can be used as a domestic supply of cordage fiber in the manufacture of rope, twine, carpet backing and burlap. Research, in the early 1940s, focused on the development of high-yielding anthracnose-resistant varieties, cultural practices and harvesting machinery.

Go To Summary

During the 1950s, kenaf was identified as a promising fiber source for paper pulp. Kenaf fibers have been processed into high quality newsprint and bond paper.

Although kenaf is usually considered a fiber crop, research indicates that it has high protein content and, therefore, is a potential livestock feed. Crude protein in kenaf leaves ranged from 21 to 34 percent, stalk crude protein ranged from 10 to 12 percent, and whole-plant crude protein ranged from 16 to 23 percent.

Kenaf can be ensilaged effectively, and it has satisfactory digestibility with a high percentage of digestible protein. Digestibility of dry matter and crude proteins in kenaf feeds ranged from 53 to 58 percent, and 59 to 71 percent, respectively Kenaf meal, used as a supplement in a rice ration for sheep, compared favorably with a ration containing alfalfa meal.

In addition to the use of kenaf for cordage, paper pulp and livestock feed researchers have investigated its use as poultry litter and animal bedding, bulking agent for sewage sludge composting and as a potting soil amendment. Additional products include automobile dashboards, carpet padding, corrugated medium, as a "substitute for fiberglass and other synthetic fibers," building materials (particle boards of various densities, thicknesses, and fire and insect resistances), absorbents, textiles and as fibers in extraction molded plastics.

Photosensitivity and Seed Production

Kenaf varieties can be divided into two major groups based on their photosensitivity - photosensitive and photoinsensitive. Typically, photosensitive varieties are preferred for the production of fiber in the United States. Two of these varieties, Everglades 41 and Everglades 71, were developed by USDA researchers to extend the vegetative growing season before the plants initiate flowering. Photosensitive cultivars initiate flowering when daylengths deSPW Ecojustice Centerse to approximately 12.5 h; mid September in southern states. In photosensitive varieties, the initiation of flowering causes a reduction in vegetative growth. Because of late floral initiation and inability to produce mature seed prior to a killing frost, seed production in the United States for these varieties is limited to southern Florida, the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas and southernmost Arizona and California.

Photoinsensitive (often referred to as day neutral) varieties can initiate flowering and produce mature seed before a killing frost north of latitude 300. Photoinsensitive varieties, such as Guatemala 4, Guatemala 45, Guatemala 48, Guatemala 51 and Cuba 2032, can initiate flowering 100 days after planting (DAP), and before the daylength decreases to 12.5 h.

 Photoinsensitive varieties can, therefore, be planted during May or early June in central United States and still have ample time to produce mature seed. The earlier production of mature seed for photoinsensitive varieties greatly expands the potential seed production areas.

As a livestock feed, kenaf is usually harvested at an earlier growth stage than as a fiber crop; 60 to 90 DAP compared with 120 to 150 DAP. During a shorter growing season, photoinsensitive varieties can produce dry matter yields equivalent to photosensitive varieties, while using seed that can be produced further north and in a larger geographic area.

Harvesting and Pelletizing

The evaluation of field equipment for harvesting kenaf continues to be an important aspect of commercialization. It has been \demonstrated that standard forage cutting, chopping and baling equipment can be used for harvesting kenaf as either a forage or fiber crop. Kenaf can be baled into small square or large round bales. Sugar cane harvesters, with and without modification, have also been successfully used to harvest kenaf. In cotton growing regions, cotton modules have been used for field-side storage of chopped kenaf. Kenaf can also be pelleted for use as a fiber or forage crop.

Pelletizing kenaf increased its density by at least 390 percent, therefore, reducing both transportation and storage costs. It may be economically advantageous to use available commercial harvesting and processing equipment rather than investing in the development and production of kenaf specific equipment. Appropriate harvesting and pelletizing equipment is readily available throughout the United States. Mobile in the field harvester/separators are being developed, which will cut and then separate the bast and core fibers in the field.

When harvesting kenaf for fiber use, the moisture content and the equipment availability are important considerations. Kenaf can be harvested for fiber when it is dead, due to a killing frost or herbicides, or when it is still growing. The dry standing kenaf can be cut and then chopped, baled or transported as full length stalks. If the kenaf drying and defoliation process is dependent on a killing frost, the harvesting date will vary on the area of the state where the crop is growing and the time required for the kenaf to dry unless artificial drying is used. Much of the land which could be planted to kenaf does not lend itself to late harvest because of weather conditions and soil type.

Actively growing kenaf can be cut and then allowed to dry in the field. 0nce dried, the kenaf can then be chopped, baled or transported as full length stalks. The availability of in the field harvester/separators will add to the harvesting options.

Kenaf is a crop which is normally harvested in late fall or winter, and only once during the year. This presents some unique situations as far as supply and storage are concerned.

Marketing

Additional markets for kenaf as a fiber crop and as a finished product need to be developed. The development of kenaf as a fiber crop depends on several conditions. What happens in the forest industry in the wood and pulp product areas will be a major factor in the development of kenaf into a major industry The development of large stable markets for the raw and finished products must occur before farmers and industry will be willing to invest time and capital on a large scale.

The development of any new industry takes time, capital, scientific research, product research and development, and eventually stable markets. In the kenaf industry part of this development has already happened, but much is yet to be done.

Summary

The United States acceptance of kenaf as a major commercial crop will be strengthened as additional uses for kenaf are established. The increased production, processing and product development work being conducted within private industry state universities and USDA laboratories is encouraging and suggests a bright future for the establishment of kenaf as a commercial crop. However, for kenaf to become a viable alternative agricultural crop, stable markets must be established which will provide farmers with an economic return equal to or surpassing what they now receive for a given crop.

For kenaf to effectively replace products now on the market, it will have to be of equal or better quality than those to be replaced, be readily available to the industry and end users, be easily harvested and h have potential to be economically produced.

Additional agricultural research for tropical countries should include disease control and variety adaptation, along with the evaluation of harvesting systems and the economics appropriate for their country's production areas and products.

Want to know more about growing kenaf or getting kenaf seeds. Contact Dr. Cross

References

Bagby M.O., R.L. Cunningham, F.G. Touzinsky G.E. Hamerstrand, E.L. Curtis, and B.T. Hofreiter. 1979. Kenaf thermomechanical pulp in newsprint. ( TAPPI/NPFP Committee Progr. Rpt 10. Atlanta, GA.

Clark, T.K, R.L. Cunningham, and I.A. Wolff. 1971. A search for new fiber crops. TAPPI 54:(1)63-65.

Clark, T.F. and I.A. Wolff. 1969. A search for new fiber crops, XI. Compositional characteristics of Illinois kenaf at several population densities and maturities. TAPPI 52:2606- 2116.

Dempsey J.M. 1975. Fiber Crops. The University Presses of Florida, Gainesville, FL.

Dryer, J.F. 1967. Kenaf seed varieties. p. 44-46. Proc. First Conference on Kenaf for Pulp. Gainesville, FL.

Fuller, M.J. and J.C. Dollar. 1994. An economic analysis of kenaf separation. p. 21-22. In: CE. Goforth, M.J. Fuller, and H. Remy (eds.). A summary of kenaf production and product development research, Miss. State Univ. Bul. 1011.

Goforth, C.E. 1994. The evaluation of kenaf as an oil sorbent. p. 25. In: C.E. Goforth, M.J. Fuller, and H. Remy (eds.). A summary of kenaf production and product development research. Miss. State Univ. Bul. 1011.

Killinger, G.B. 1969. Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L. a multi-use crop. Agron. J. 61:734-736.

Kugler, D.E. 1988. Non-wood fiber crops: commercialization of kenaf for newsprint. p. 289-292. In: J. Janick and J.E. Simon (eds.). Advances in new crops. Timber Press, Portland,0R.

Laiche, A.J. and S.E. Newman, 1994. Kenaf core as a container media component for woody landscape plants and greenhouse bedding plants. p. 30. In: C.E. Goforth, M.J. Fuller, and H. Remy (eds.). A summary of kenaf production and product development research. Miss. State Univ. Bul. 1011.

Nieschlag, H.J., G.H. Nelson, I.A. Wolff, and R.E. Perdue, Jr. 1960. A search for new fiber crops. TAPPI 43:193-201.

Ramaswamy, G.N. and C.R. Boyd. 1994. Kenaf as a textile fiber: processing, fiber quality and product development. p. 31-33. In: C.E. Goforth, M.J. Fuller, and H. Remy (eds.). A summary of kenaf production and product development research. Miss. State Univ. Bul. 1011.

Scott, A. 1982. Kenaf seed production: 1981-82. p. 60-63. Rio Farms, Inc. Biennial Report for l980-1981 Monte Alto, Texas.

Scott, A.W. Jr. and C.S. Taylor. 1988. Economics of kenaf production in the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. p. 292-297. In: J. Janick and J.E. Simon (eds.). Advances in new crops. Timber Press, Port land, OR.

Suriyajantratong, W., R.E. Tucker, R.E. Sigafus and G.E. Mitchell, Jr. 1973. Kenaf and rice straw for sheep. J. Anim. Sci. 37:1251-1254.

Swingle, R.S., A.R. Urias, J.C.Doyle, and R.L. Voigt. 1978. Chemical composition of kenaf forage and its digestibility by lambs and in vitro. J. Anim. Sci. 46:1346-1350.

Tilmon, H.D., R. Taylor, and G. Malone. 1988. Kenaf: an alternative crop for Delaware. p. 301-302. In: Janick and J.E. Simon (eds.). Advances in new crops. Timber Press, Portland, OR

Webber, C.L. III. 1990a. Kenaf production with sewage sludge and fertilizer. p. 15. Proc. Second Annual International Kenaf Assoc. Conf. Tulsa, OK. (abstr.)

Webber, C.L. III. 1990b. The effects of kenaf cultivars and harvest dates on plant growth, protein content, and dry matter yields. p. 147-152. Proc. First Annual International Conf. on New Industrial Crops and Products. Riverside, CA.

Webber, C.L. III and R.E. Bledsoe. 1993. Kenaf: production, harvesting, and products. p. 416-421. In: Janick, J. and Simon, J.E. (eds.). New Crops. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York, N.Y.

White, G.A., D.G. Cummins, E.L. whiteley W.T. Fike, J.K. Greig, J.A. Martin, G.B. Killinger, J.J. Higgins, and T.F. Clark. 1970. Cultural and harvesting methods for kenaf. USDA Prod. Res. Report 113. Washington, D.C.

Wilson, ED., T.E. Summers, J.F. Joyner, D.W. Fishler, and C.C. Seale. 1965. 'Everglades 41' and 'Everglades 71', two new varieties of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) for the fiber and seed. Florida Agr. Exp. Stat. Cir. S-168.

Wing, J. M. 1967. Ensilability acceptability and digestibility of kenaf.

HOW TO GET IN CONTACT WITH the SPW Ecojustice Center   Contact Dr. Cross at kenaf@solarentrep.com    001-305-984-3291  Email:  leucaena@solarentrep.com or kenaf@solarentrep.com  solarenergy@solarentrep.com We Must Feed Hungry People at The Same Time We Protect the Environment Nearly 1 billion people are malnourished, and a child dies of hunger every 11 seconds. By 2050, farmers would have to double crop production to meet the demand. Agricultural mechanization is the answer. Sustainable mechanization using recycled machinery from the US and small scale machinery and processing systems from worldwide sources. Yes -  machinery is the answer. We want to help developing countries get access to appropriate mechanization. Supplying used agricultural machinery as well as animal powered machinery from the US is part of the solution. We want to help manufacturers in countries like China, India and other countries market their small scale equipment. But just selling machinery to the countries that need it can cause problems we cannot afford.  We thus need to teach sustainable farming methods and supply social capital in the form of agricultural mechanization facilitation.   We support sustainable development. Through our programs we offer consulting services machinery suppliers can pass through to their customers. Or machinery suppliers can refer their customers to us and we will provide them with information and resources so they can combine equipment and machinery with methods that preserve the environment.   For example we can support them by helping them learn intercropping. We can support the elegant solution to global warming—growing Leucaena We can introduce them to the growing of more environmentally sound crops like kenaf. We can support them by teaching water harvesting and conservation systems as part of equipment sales. We are developing the Agricultural Mechanization Facilitation program to provide trained social capital providers to farmers and entrepreneurs.   Our goal is no less the quadrupling of food production over the next 20 years in a sustainable manner.   Need More Information About Tropical Food?   More information on Tropical Food is available to you from sagwtrees@gmail.com  Our Tropical Food web site is http://www.solarentrep.com/Tropical Food_entry.htm.   http://www.solarentrep.com/Tropical Food_entry.htm Email us at sagwtrees@gmail.com    Return to Tropical Food Page   I am a tree hugger, an environmentalist and a world changer. I want to connect with people who care about our planet, want to build self esteem and make our world more caring and loving. I am actively involved in planting trees. My project in Haiti is called The Haiti Youth Reforestation & Community Development Project to replant deforested hillsides in Haiti with children.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/151736228328198/.  http://www.solarentrep.com/haiti_youth_tree_planting_projec.html The Haiti Youth Reforestation & Community Development Project A project of the children of Haiti to plant trees on the hillsides of their community to prevent more mudslides and flooding in their community The Future of Haiti Depends Upon the Reforestation of its  Hillsides.  The Reforestation of the Hillsides Depends Upon the Children. The Children of Haiti Depend Upon You To Help Them Replant their Country and Prevent More Flooding & Loss of Life.   The Importance of Gratitiude for our Wonderful Planet, Our Families, Our Homes and All That We Have in Our Lives Our goal is to empower these youth through sponsored tree planting and build them into youth entrepreneurs. We hope to develop reforestation tourism and teach these youth to be tour facilitators.   Our goal is ultimately to build rural hostels that are hosted by our youth who are taught courtesy and gratitude.  I invite you to visit my Gratitude YouTube at http://youtu.be/5QRevv5KOa8.   Gratitude based busineses are the new wave for success and I invite you to learn how you can develop this powerful method of business building. You are invited to join the International Gratitude Empowerment Insitute for courses, programs, seminars and products.  You may see our "Building Your Business Through Gratitude" You Tube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=sw2FjJd8HaQ#!.  You can find products for marketing your business through gratitude at the  Gratitude Empowerment Shop http://www.cafepress.com/thegratitudeempowermentshop   The people we serve through the SPW Ecojustice Center  come from many walks of life.  We are developing the FitoKenaf Community to Enable Everyone To Participate In The Uses of Kenaf As The Environmental Entrepreneurship Powerhouse. We provide services and products to growers and to Green Investors. We seek to halt global warming through kenaf planting and tree planting for carbon sequestration.  We support agricultural entrepreneurs is creating kenaf projects through seeds, consultancy and training.   SPW Offers A Wide Variety of Business Development Programs, Seminars and Projects   1. The FitoKenaf Community This is a Facebook group being developed to enable everyone who wants to p participate in the use of kenaf to fight global warming end hunger and cleanse our air an opportunity to learn about kenaf and interact with others to share information.   The FitoKenaf Community Promote Your Page Too 2.  KenafProfits, the Yahoo Group   Subscribe Free To KenafProfits Kenaf Information and Knowhow Sharing List On Kenaf Growing, Processing, Uses- Post Conferences, Seminars, Tree Free Paper Sources, Livestock Feed Uses, Kenaf projects, Seed Sources, Consultancy and Future Projects, Exchange Ideas With Sustainable Agriculture Community     Powered by groups.yahoo.com     Kenaf and Leucaena - Partners For Sustainable Rural Development   4.  Join The Leucaena Earth Trees Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/135831644477/members/   This is a community based around the EcoAgroForestry Way School being developed online. I am Dr. Carol Cross and I believe in the importance of self esteem building  On my Facebook page I regularly post Positive Words.  In addition I have a Facebook Cause, Create World Peace Through Self Esteem Building  I am dedicated to community building based on teaching people how to build personal self esteem as well as self esteem in others.  For that reason I am creating the EcoAgroForesty Way School and Community, online and onsite in the USA. I  would like to invite people who want to change the world for the better, to stop global warming, to create sustainable businesses and to build a sustainable planetary economy.   This school will teach the SPW core premise of Gratitude.  We should all be greateful for our beautiful planet, incredibly perfect environment on our planet. For our air, water (scarce in the universe) and all the other ambiences we take for granted.  You may see my gratitude Youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QRevv5KOa8&feature=youtu.be This school we are creating will be both online and onsite. We are seeking a building to begin our outreach and invite you to come and share with us beginning our certification courses in January 2014.   EcoAgroForestry - the development of sustainable, productive, long term, human-based life maintenance systems. It involves the use of ecologically sound methods of producing crop plants, animals and trees in a production system that uses sustainably appropriate inputs and methods. It includes composting, biomass energy, solar energy, recycling, polyculture, wind energy, biological pest control, organic farming and gardening methods, aquaculture, water and soil conservation technologies and other appropriate technologies that avoid the use of pesticides, insecticides, and inappropriate technologies.   Join at https://www.facebook.com/groups/135831644477/   Kenaf Home Page  | Kenaf Future Core Page  |   See our Kenaf Fiber Mission Statement   What Is The Kenaf Fiber Vision of SPW Ecojustice Center  |  Kenaf Fiber Products  | Kenaf Fiber & Cement Board   Skype  -  solarentrep Other Emails or Ways To Contact leucaena@solarentrep.com or kenaf@solarentrep.com  solarenergy@solarentrep.com Contact Dr. Cross at reforest@solarentrep.com    Skype solarentrep Email to kenaf@solarentrep.com Email to leucaena@solarentrep.com Mobile  entrepreneur@solarentrep.com Skype  solarentrep US Phone   001-305-984-3291 Subscribe to briq the Yahoo Group for entrepreneurs, community groups, farmers, & non profits interested in utilization of Leucaena, kenaf, agricultural and forest residues for manufacturing energy briquettes. Manufacturing energy briquettes will enable developing countries to be energy suppliers. Machinery suppliers, farmers, communities, corporations can develop profitable briquetting projects. Find out how here. Powered by groups.yahoo.com Subscribe to TDREN The next world crisis is electricity and power. Electrical power is the basis of civilization and development. The Trade and Development Energy Renewables Yahoo Groups for those interested in biodiesel, methane generation, biomass energy, wind power, solar power and other renewable, environmentally sound methods of generating power. Make worldwide contacts here. Power Subscribe free to Leucaena Subscribe Free To Leucaena, The Leucaena Effect Agroforestry List - Post Questions, Request Assistance, Share Projects, Exchange Seeds, Discuss Problems, Suggest Solutions, Access Books and Knowhow, Leucaena Consultancy, Project Assistance, Training Programs & Photographs Powered by groups.yahoo.com Subscribe Free To KenafProfits Kenaf Information and Knowhow Sharing List On Kenaf Growing, Processing, Uses- Post Conferences, Seminars, Tree Free Paper Sources, Livestock Feed Uses, Kenaf projects, Seed Sources, Consultancy and Future Projects, Exchange Ideas With Sustainable Agriculture Community Powered by groups.yahoo.com Visit Dr. Cross on Facebook  Carol Cross Phd Facebook Groups EcoAgroForestry Way Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/ecoagroforestry/ Leucaena Earth Trees  https://www.facebook.com/groups/135831644477/ Kenaf Community  https://www.facebook.com/groups/kenafcommunity/ Haiti Youth Reforestation and Community Development Group  https://www.facebook.com/groups/151736228328198/ Join Dr. Cross In Her Goal To Plant 1,000,000 Hectares of Trees Within 20 Years Connect With Dr. Cross on LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/in/spiritreewoman   Kenaf Core Page | Kenaf For Economic Development | Kenaf Online Course | Kenaf Seeds Are Available | Grow Kenaf Seeds For the Chinese Market | Kenaf Starter Kit | About Kenaf | Kenaf for Livestock Feed | More Information on Kenaf Feeds | Consultancy | Kenaf Business Planning Form | The Kenaf Business Plan |  Kenaf |  Participate In A Kenaf Property Under Development | Marketing Documents For The Kenaf Business | How To Market Your Kenaf Business | Using the Internet To Build Your Kenaf Business | Selecting the Right Property For Your Kenaf Project | Kenaf Project Internship Program | Online Kenaf Forum | Kenaf Newsletter | Kenaf Growers Task Force | Let's Promote Kenaf |  Kenaf Working Plan |  Who is Doctor Cross?  | My Role As Your Consultant| Briquetting Working Plan | How To Get Your Working Plan | Kenaf Seminar Kenaf Home Page  | Kenaf Future Core Page  |   See our Kenaf Fiber Mission Statement   What Is The Kenaf Fiber Vision of SPW Ecojustice Center  |  Kenaf Fiber Products  | Kenaf Fiber & Cement Board Kenaf Community Membership | Diamond Membership | Iridium Membership  | Sapphire Membership | Ruby Membership  | Emerald Membership  | Titanium Membership  | Platinum Membership  | Electrum Membership  | Gold Membership  | Silver Membership  |  Bronze Membership  | Copper Membership

Online Kenaf Course - Kenaf Growing, Processing and Marketing   The Wide Open World Of Kenaf Based Economic Development Awaits You You Can create Your Own Kenaf Future!

See Photo of Whitten Kenaf on Dr. Cross's Facebook Page Dr. Carol Cross In A Kenaf Field In Honduras

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