Hemp seed meal gets green light for U.S. laying hens

USA – The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has formally approved hemp seed meal as a feed ingredient for laying hens. 

This approval, announced on August 7, 2024, marks the first time a hemp-based product has been sanctioned for use in animal feed in the United States, setting a significant precedent for future applications.

Hemp seed meal, derived from milling the residue left after oil extraction from hemp seeds, has now been recognized as a viable source of protein and fat in poultry diets. 

Under the newly approved guidelines, the meal must contain no more than 20 parts per million of cannabidiol (CBD) and a maximum of 2 parts per million of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound found in cannabis. 

This strict regulation ensures the product is safe for both animals and the human consumers of their products.

According to AAFCO, hemp seed meal can be included in the diets of laying hens at levels up to 20%. The Hemp Feed Coalition, an industry group that advocated for this approval, highlights the nutritional benefits of hemp seed meal, noting that it enriches eggs with essential fatty acids such as ALA, DHA, and GLA. 

Moreover, the meal boasts a complete amino acid profile, including all nine essential amino acids, which are crucial for the health and productivity of laying hens.

“This groundbreaking federal approval of a hemp feed ingredient is a major moment for the hemp industry as well as the health of our animals,” the Hemp Feed Coalition stated. “Hemp seed meal offers incredible nutrition benefits, and its approval opens the floodgates for the use of hemp grain.”

The approval is a victory for the hemp industry and a significant step toward diversifying the ingredients used in animal feed. 

Morgan Tweet, the executive director of the Hemp Feed Coalition, expressed optimism about future developments, indicating that the coalition is already eyeing the approval of hemp seed meal for other livestock, including ruminants and broilers. 

However, she clarified that the coalition has no plans to pursue the approval of CBD or hemp biomass as feed ingredients, given the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) interest in regulating CBD as a pharmaceutical substance.

Despite this regulatory milestone, industry experts caution that it may take time before hemp seed meal reaches commercial scale. Hemp production in the U.S. has seen a decline since 2021, largely due to falling prices and market challenges. 

However, with federal approval now in place, there is renewed hope that the demand for hemp as a versatile agricultural product will revitalize the sector.

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