PSIII-12 - Palatability of Hempseed Meal Pellets Compared to Mainstream Feedstuffs in Horses

Abstract: When the 2014 and 2018 US Farm Bills legalized hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), increased farming created an abundance of hemp by-products. Hempseed meal (HSM) is a by-product of hempseed oil extraction. With increasing availability, hemp must be evaluated as a potential feedstuff for sustainable livestock systems. The objective of this study was to evaluate the palatability of HSM as an equine feedstuff. The study used a modified 3x3 Latin Square design utilizing 3 mature geldings (G; 7.3 ± 2.5 yr) and 3 mature mares (M; 12.5 ± 6.5 yr) blocked by sex. Basal feed consumption and bucket preference was established during a washout period of 2 feedings/d over 3 days before each period. During each treatment period (3d) horses were offered either 500g of soybean meal pellets (SBM), rice bran pellets (RBP), or beet pulp pellets (BPP) in one bucket and 500g of HSM in a second bucket each feeding. Feed treatments were switched between bucket positions each feeding. Findings are presented as mean ± SEM. Data were analyzed using an ANOVA within R Statistical Program©. The study found that HSM consumption (351.2 ± 30.6g) did not differ with treatment (p = 0.63), bucket (p = 0.94), or sex (p = 0.67). HSM consumption was greater than SBM (237.7 ± 34.8g; p = 0.005) and BPP (37.0 ± 9.3g; p< 0.001) but was not different from RBP (299.1 ± 35.2g; p = 0.19). HSM consumption increased with each subsequent period (Period 1: 229.6 ± 33.4g; Period 2: 381.3 ± 27.1g; Period 3: 442.6 ± 17.2; p < 0.001). These findings indicate that HSM may be more palatable than SBM and BPP but similar to RBP. HSM consumption may continue to increase over time. HSM may serve as an acceptable replacement to more common feedstuffs used in equine rations.