Hemp Biomass as Feed for Livestock

By now, most people are aware of how Hemp can be beneficial in our everyday lives - we even see the benefits with our pets! But dogs and cats may not be our only furry friends to benefit from this amazing plant!

Oregon State University researchers are now studying the nutritional value of hemp as feed for livestock like cows, chickens, and pigs!

"The project, which received a nearly $300,000 USDA grant in February, aims to determine whether 'spent hemp biomass' can be fed to animals including lambs, chickens and dairy cows, and whether any residual cannabis compounds are present in the meat and milk."

"Spent hemp biomass" refers to the leafy by-products of the hemp plant left over after the plant has been processed for CBD. This biomass is similar in both appearance and chemical composition as Alfalfa Hay, which has been the standard of healthy animal feed, especially for dairy cows.

"Rich in protein, fiber and minerals, hemp biomass appears to have promise as a cheaper alternative animal feed. It could also provide hemp farmers with an added revenue stream, turning what was a waste product into a cash crop."

Unfortunately as of now, Hemp is not currently approved for use in animal feed by the FDA, but this research team has high hopes that the data they find will support hemp as a safe, cheap alternative, and will push the FDA to consider approval for hemp to be used as a safe, nutritional animal feed in the future.

Sources: https://www.capitalpress.com/ag_sectors/dairy/researchers-study-spent-hemp-biomass-as-animal-feed/article_c072c478-8d83-11eb-8125-9bec898d893f.html