CONDE, S.D. (WNAX) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it will complete the federal rules governing domestic hemp production by August. South Dakota Farmers Union President Doug Sombke says the next thing that needs to be done is to develop hemp processing so when growers are allowed to grow it, it will pay off.

He says his group is working with a Minnesota research group in finding ways hemp can be processed.

Sombke says rather than trying to produce oil from hemp, his group wants to make use of the hemp fiber.

Sombke is confident the interim legislative committee will come up with a measure that the 2020 legislature will be able to pass allowing the growing of industrial hemp.