Hemp, Inc., a North American hemp grower and processor, today announced that hemp seed meal is on the cusp of receiving approval for use in animal feed, starting with laying hen diets.
According to Feed Strategy, Hemp seed meal could be approved for use in animal feed for laying hens before the end of the year.
The significant advancement follows a tentative approval of a definition for hemp seed meal by a committee of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) earlier this year, marking a pivotal step towards legal distribution as an approved feed ingredient in the United States.
In January, the Hemp Feed Coalition (HFC) called the approval a "landmark achievement."
Hemp, Inc. says the development as not just a victory for the hemp industry, but a testament to the sustainable and innovative solutions that hemp products can offer the agricultural sector.
AAFCO Executive Director Austin Therrell says hemp seed meal would require the nod from both the AAFCO board of directors and the general membership before it can be officially distributed. The final decision is anticipated at AAFCO's annual meeting in August, in San Antonio.
Hemp seed meal is recognized for its rich content of vitamins, minerals, oils and proteins, offering benefits to laying hens. According to Hemp, Inc. it can serve a comparable role to soy or canola meal in layer diets, with the added advantage of enhancing the quality and amino acid profile of the eggs produced.
Hemp seeds are obviously devoid of THC and CBD, components that have raised concerns in other hemp products due to potential contamination risks. The HFC has ensured that any presence of these substances in hemp seed will be classified as contaminants, aligning with regulatory standards.
Upon approval of this initial application, the HFC plans to extend its efforts to secure approvals for the use of hemp seed in diets for additional animal species, starting with ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats, etc.) and eventually expanding to broilers (chickens raised for meat production).
Hemp, Inc. expects to see "meteoric growth curves" on a domestic and international scale as the industry continues to grow. The company's product line contains CBD, CBDA, CBG, CBGA and CBN (non-psychoactive compounds found in cannabis plants). These are active ingredients in cannabis that are derived from the hemp plant, which is widely known for pain relief, relaxation and anxiety relief.
