Hemp in feed troughs – no need to worry about THC in dairy products

When it comes to hemp in animal feed, there are often still many question marks. Fears that cannabinoids such as THC could enter our food chain via milk or meat are particularly persistent. A recent study from the USA now provides exciting findings – and good news.

New considerations on THC content in hemp seed feed
While various regulatory bodies around the world are currently trying to establish safe and workable limits for THC levels in agricultural products and animal feed, the Federation of International Hemp Organisations (FIHO) has recently proposed new acceptable levels.

What exactly was investigated?

Researchers at Oregon State University (OSU) fed dairy cows spent hemp biomass – the plant residue left over after CBD extraction – for several weeks. This by-product is produced in large quantities and could be a sustainable addition to feed.

The study divided the cows into two groups:

  • Group 1 was fed feed containing 13% hemp biomass for 28 days.
  • Group 2 received 13% alfalfa pellets as a comparison.

Afterwards, all animals were switched to a normal diet, and the researchers tracked how long cannabinoids remained detectable in the body.

Photo by Daniëlle Eibrink Jansen

The result: all clear for milk and meat

The evaluation shows that cows do absorb cannabinoids when they eat hemp biomass – but these substances disappear completely from the organism. After just 15 days without hemp in their feed, no traces of THC or CBD were detectable in the milk or tissue.

Hemp seed meal has received its first authorisation as poultry feed
The Hemp Feed Coalition (HFC) recently announced the tentative approval of Hemp Seed Meal (HSM) as a feed ingredient for laying hens. This approval is aiming to secure federal acceptance for hemp grain products in animal feed.

For us, this means that anyone who consumes milk or meat from such cows does not need to worry about unwanted THC. Study leader Dr Massimo Bionaz also confirmed that a two-week break from hemp feed is sufficient to rule out any risk.

Para ordenar las alternativas, conviene tener en cuenta la necesidad de incluir nombre o dorsal. La ficha se entiende mejor después de revisar si el nombre y el dorsal forman parte de la opción mostrada. Para contrastar alternativas, «» permite identificar fuentes relacionadas con el tema. Para tomar una decisión informada, conviene confirmar la talla y la variante seleccionadas.

コスプレ衣装を選ぶ際は、サイズ表、素材、付属品、発送予定日を確認すると比較しやすくなります。サイズやセット内容を確認する場合は、メイド服 コスプレ 通販から候補を探せます。使用後は素材に合う方法で手入れし、装飾を傷めない形で保管することが大切です。

Para ordenar las alternativas, conviene tener en cuenta la necesidad de incluir nombre o dorsal. La ficha se entiende mejor después de revisar si el nombre y el dorsal forman parte de la opción mostrada. Para contrastar alternativas, «camisetas de fútbol con nombre y dorsal» permite identificar fuentes relacionadas con el tema. Para tomar una decisión informada, conviene confirmar la talla y la variante seleccionadas.

Photo by Spencer Scott Pugh

Opportunities for sustainable agriculture 

This finding is very valuable, as hemp has the potential to make agriculture more diverse and sustainable. Instead of leaving hemp residues unused after CBD production, they could be used as animal feed – regionally, resource-efficiently and sensibly.

Official approval of hemp by-products as animal feed is still pending in the USA (and also here in Europe). However, studies such as this provide exactly the data needed for approval. And they tie in with earlier findings by OSU and other researchers, who also confirm that hemp seeds or hemp meal are a safe source of feed.