On August 7th, 2024, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) approved federally hempseed meal as an ingredient in feed for laying hens. It did so by including hempseed meal, a byproduct of extracting hemp oil from seeds of the Cannabis sativa L. plant, in its definitions of approved feedstuffs.
In its definition, AAFCO clarified that, "the meal shall contain no more than 20 ppm of total cannabidiol (Total CBD = CBD + (CBDA x 0.877)) and no more than 2 ppm of total tetrahydrocannabinol (Total THC = delta-9-THC + (THCA x 0.877))."
Impacts of Hemp on Animals and Animal Products
In a press release about the approval, The Hemp Feed Coalition cited the benefits that hempseed meal provides for laying hens and the eggs they lay, pointing to research that "has shown that incorporating HSM into a hen’s diet significantly improves egg quality. Hens fed with hempseed meal lay eggs enriched with essential fatty acids like ALA, DHA, and GLA, which are vital for promoting human health."
The approval of hempseed meal for laying hens is a critical first step in opening the door for additional uses of hemp grain in the livestock animal industry.
Federal Impact of Hemp Animal Feed Ingredient Approval
This approval marks an historic milestone for the hemp industry as a whole, as previously, no hemp ingredients were approved federally for animal feed for any species.
Securing approval for hemp as an animal feed ingredient is something that AgHS Chief Legislative Strategist, Courtney Moran, is no stranger to. In 2021, Moran led a campaign in Montana, successfully securing approval for hemp ingredients in animal feed for pets, specialty pets, and horses.
This approval follows years of campaigning by the Hemp Feed Coalition, studies on the impact of hemp in farmed animal diets conducted by the USDA, and recommendations by the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine to approve the use of hemp in animal feed.
Congratulations, Hemp Feed Coalition!
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