PSXIV-12 - Sources of variation in the nutritive value of hemp seed meal

The 2018 Farm Bill, with its groundbreaking hemp legislation, offered an alternative protein source to livestock producers. Hemp is the agricultural product of Cannabis sativa L. which must contain less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive component common to marijuana. Hemp oil, cold-pressed from C. sativa seed, has been gaining popularity over recent years for its use in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and human food products. Like most oilseeds, this leaves an oilseed meal with a potential for inclusion in livestock feeds. Thus, our objective was to quantify the sources of variation in the nutritive value of hempseed meal. Hempseed meal samples were obtained from commercial oil processing facilities (n = 4). Across these facilities, samples represented 15 independent hempseed meal batches. Our experimental design was a completely randomized design including the random effects of source, batch within source, and replicate within batch by source (laboratory replication). Samples were assayed for NDF, ADF, ADL, CP, and IVTD. Source had no contribution to variance for NDF, ADF, ADL, or CP (P ≥ 0.20). However, batch within source had a significant contribution to variation for NDF (μ = 50.1%; P = 0.01), ADF (μ = 36.8%; P = 0.01), ADL (μ = 12.9%; P < 0.01), and CP (μ = 30.9%; P < 0.01). Irrespective of the differences in nutritive value, there was no contribution to variation (P ≥ 0.23) of any measured effect on IVTD (μ = 53.0%). Results are interpreted to mean that, while variation exists among hempseed meal samples with respect to nutritive value, the viability of hempseed meal as a livestock feed source is strong.