Metrc (Missouri) Bulletin MO IB 0050 provides Division of Cannabis Regulation (DCR) guidance on harvest batch best practices to reduce common Metrc harvest workflow errors, improve reporting accuracy, and strengthen compliance visibility from harvest through packaging.
Bulletin details (MO IB 0050)
Bulletin number: MO IB 0050
Distribution date: 01/23/2026
Effective date: Ongoing
Contact point: Metrc Support
Subject: Harvest Batch Best Practices
Reason: Provide best practices for creating and managing harvest batches in Metrc to support consistent, accurate completion of the harvest workflow.
What Missouri regulators expect from a harvest batch
In Metrc, the harvest process can be applied to a single plant or multiple plants to create one harvest batch. Missouri DCR requires harvest batches to be single-strain, and Metrc operators should treat harvest batches as same-day events: all plants included in the batch should be harvested on the same date.
Operationally, that means each harvest batch should represent one strain, one harvest date, and one controlled movement into the next post-harvest location for drying/curing activities under the same license.
Creating a harvest batch in Metrc (workflow and data requirements)
Select flowering plants to harvest
Start in the Plants area and work from the flowering plants grid. Select the flowering plants that will be harvested together; the selected plants become the contents of the harvest batch. Metrc also supports creating harvest records via CSV upload, but the same Missouri rules still apply (single strain, same harvest date).
Use “Manicure” when removing usable product early
If usable cannabis is being taken off the plant before the whole plant is fully harvested (for example, in anticipation of selling or processing that usable material), use the Manicure action. The bulletin notes this option can be used from both vegetative and flowering plant views.
Record wet weights per plant and set the harvest location
After plants are cut down, Missouri operators should individually weigh each plant and record each plant’s wet weight in Metrc. The harvest action also requires selecting the post-harvest location the harvested plants will be moved into.
Name harvest batches for traceability
The bulletin recommends a harvest batch naming convention that makes audits and internal reconciliation easier. A common best practice is: Strain name + harvest date. This improves downstream clarity when packaging, transferring, testing, and reconciling inventory.
Verify harvest batch accuracy immediately (and avoid “Multi-Strain”)
After creating the harvest, review the newly created record in the harvested view to confirm it has the correct harvest batch name and total wet weight. Confirm the Strain column shows the correct strain and does not display “Multi-Strain”, since Missouri DCR requires a harvest batch to contain only a single strain.
The 72-hour edit window in Missouri
Missouri licensees have 72 hours to edit a harvest batch in Metrc. If plants from another strain were accidentally included, remove those plants within the allowable window to restore compliance and keep reporting clean.
If the harvest batch is past the 72-hour window, the bulletin directs licensees to contact Missouri DCR at CannabisCompliance@health.mo.gov or work directly with the assigned Compliance Officer for guidance.
Report harvest-associated waste in Metrc
Once a harvest batch exists, the bulletin instructs operators to collect and record the physical waste attributed to that harvest batch by using the harvest batch’s waste reporting action in Metrc. This step is critical for keeping on-hand weights defensible and preventing unexplained variances during internal reviews or regulatory inspections.
Create post-harvest packages correctly (separate categories)
When harvested material is ready to be packaged, create packages from the harvest batch. The bulletin emphasizes that it is common to pull multiple item categories from the same harvest and they must be recorded as separate packages (for example, buds/flower in one package set and shake/trim in another).
Metrc can generate a populated template in the package creation window; operators should verify the package details before finalizing. If a package is created incorrectly, discontinue it and recreate it to avoid compounding errors that can affect transfers, lab submissions, and sales reporting.
Missouri restriction: drying and curing must stay under the harvest license
The bulletin notes an important operational constraint for Missouri cultivation workflows: the entire drying and curing process must be completed under the license where the harvest occurs. Cultivation licensees cannot transfer whole wet plants to another cultivation licensee for drying, curing, or packaging on their behalf.
This impacts staffing plans, space planning, and inter-facility logistics. If your organization runs multiple licenses, plan post-harvest capacity so harvested plants can be dried and cured at the same licensed premises where they were harvested.
Finish the harvest batch and understand moisture loss
After all waste is reported and all intended packages are created, finish the harvest batch in Metrc. When finished, the harvest batch moves to the inactive harvested view.
Any remaining weight still associated with the harvest batch at finish is automatically attributed to moisture loss and recorded under the moisture loss column. Operationally, this means finishing is not just an administrative step; it finalizes the harvest record and locks in the system’s moisture-loss accounting based on what has been packaged and wasted.
Unfinishing a harvest batch (fixing premature completion)
If a harvest batch was finished in error or too early, Metrc allows the batch to be unfinished. Unfinishing moves the harvest batch back to the active harvested view so the operator can complete missing actions (such as waste reporting or package creation) and then refinish the harvest.
Day-to-day implications for Missouri cannabis operators
Single-strain discipline: Train harvest teams and Metrc users to prevent cross-strain selection mistakes; “Multi-Strain” harvest batches create immediate compliance risk in Missouri.
Timing matters: The 72-hour edit window is a practical control point. Build a routine where a supervisor reviews harvest records the same day or next day to catch issues while they are still editable.
Weights drive everything downstream: Accurate plant-level wet weights and timely waste reporting reduce reconciliation problems when you create packages, submit samples for testing, and track yields by room, strain, and cycle.
Plan post-harvest capacity under the harvesting license: Because wet plant transfers for drying/curing/packaging are restricted as described in the bulletin, ensure your harvest site has the space and SOPs to complete drying and curing before packaging and transfers.
Labeling and operational systems that support Metrc compliance
DistruLabels (free compliant labels, supports Metrc Retail ID needs)
While this bulletin focuses on harvest batch workflow, harvest accuracy directly affects packaging outputs and label data quality. DistruLabels is a 100% free tool for creating compliant packaging and retail labels, helping operators print accurate labels tied to package data and supporting workflows that align with Metrc Retail ID compliance expectations where applicable.
DistruERP for larger, multi-department operations
For operators managing higher volumes or more complex supply chains, DistruERP is Distru’s comprehensive Cannabis ERP platform designed for end-to-end operational control, including inventory, manufacturing, distribution, and compliance processes that must stay aligned with Metrc reporting.
Metrc training and support resources referenced in the bulletin
Metrc Support portal: Access support through https://support.metrc.com (also reachable from within Metrc via the Support area). First-time portal access generally requires a username setup, state selection, facility license number, and a valid email to set a password.
Metrc Expert (in-app guidance): Available inside Metrc on any grid. The bulletin references the guide path for creating a harvest batch under Plants and Flowering Plants resources.
Metrc Learn (LMS training): Access training courses and learning plans, including the course titled Create A Harvest Batch, via the Support area in Metrc or from your state’s partner page on Metrc’s website.
