Sometime in August, US regulators will vote on whether to approve hemp seed meal (HSM) as a feed for laying hens.
HSM is the byproduct of cold pressing hemp seed oil for human consumption. While considered a waste product, hemp seed meal retains significant levels of protein and other nutrients, making it desirable as a stock feed. Farmers like it, animals like it, but the problem in the USA is it’s banned as a stock feed for the most part.
After years of the Hemp Feed Coalition (HFC) working to have the ban lifted, it could finally start to happen next month.
At the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) Mid-Year Meeting in January this year, hemp seed meal received tentative approval for laying hens, and the FDA-Center for Veterinary Medicine’s (FDA-CVM’s) recommendation for approval received no opposition. If approved after an AAFCO member vote in August, HSM will be tentatively published in the Official Publication (OP), finally allowing its commercial adoption and distribution.
According to the National Hemp Association (NHA), approval of HSM for egg-laying chickens would require 384 million pounds of it (assumed annually) and over 650,000 acres of hemp cultivation, creating a valuable new market. But the Association doesn’t want to stop there – it wants to see HSM approval extended to other livestock, including cattle.
“For instance, if beef cattle feed included 5% HSM at a 20% inclusion rate, it would require 4 billion pounds of HSM, translating to over 7 million acres of hemp cultivation.”
The NHA recently wrote to AAFCO and FDA-CVM expressing its ongoing support for a lifting of the ban and to address concerns raised by some other groups. It says the groups mentioned don’t represent the interests of US operators and seem to be motivated by market protectionism rather than genuine concern for the industry’s evolution.
“We implore your organization to reject the baseless claims from these groups and swiftly approve the HFC’s application, thereby providing American farmers and egg producers the opportunity to enhance their offerings to consumers.”
The NHA has some clout and claims it is recognized as “the most trusted voice” by Congress on hemp issues.
“Our credibility and expertise are underscored by our role in getting the key components of the Industrial Hemp Act in the 2024 Farm Bill, supported by the American Farm Bureau.”
