One of the most exciting times of the year for the Receptra Team is our annual Hemp Bucking Party! No, it's not a typo. Keep reading.

When the leaves start to change and we start running the risk of a little Colorado snow, that's the time when the harvest process gets underway on our hemp farm in Canyon City. It is a great festive time of comradery for the team, and especially in 2020 with the majority of employees working from home. We are happy to share with you what it is that we actually do to ensure a great product once our organically grown hemp for CBD has been harvested.

Hemp Bucking vs Shucking

These terms are often used interchangeably (don't worry, we do it too), but technically "shucking" refers to products that have a husk or shell, such as corn or walnuts. Since hemp flower does not have a husk or shell, the correct term is "bucking," which is a phrase commonly used for processing crops like alfafa hay or even trees.

One of the vital steps between harvest and the finished product is bucking (also known as de-budding or de-stemming). Bucking is the process of removing the flowers and leaves from the stalk, which can be done by hand or through the use of a bucking machine. The Receptra Team does all of our bucking by hand and with smiles on our faces.

The Hemp Harvesting Process

Once the hemp plants are fully grown, they are and harvested and hung up to dry. The drying process usually takes about two weeks to complete. Too much moisture means the plant is a little sticky and difficult to work with. Once enough of the moisture evaporates, the plants are hand-bucked to remove stalks and stems while preserving the very best parts of the plant to create the most effective products.

Why Does Receptra Hand-Buck/Shuck Hemp for CBD?

Many CBD companies use machines for this process, which is not wrong but doesn't fit Receptra's artisan, detailed approach to quality. Machine bucking can result in prematurely breaking apart the phytocannabinoids (plant compounds) which can leave an excess amount of chlorophyll and fats in the oil. This can cause an unpleasant flavor and reduce nutritional value. Other phytocannabinoids include terpenes, fatty acids and other compounds that work to naturally increase the effectiveness of the product.

Hand bucking preserves the great terpene profile Receptra products are known for. How do we accomplish hand-bucking/shucking all of our hemp plants? The entire Receptra family from the executives and customer service team to our chemists and production technicians, come together in on the farm with enthusiasm and a lot of muscle to get the job done!