Quality and safety of hemp meal as a protein supplement for nonlactating dairy cows

Hemp seed meal may be a suitable protein supplement for dairy cows, but its quality and safety as cow feed has not yet been fully investigated. As result, dry matter intake (DMI), rumen fermentation, blood metabolites, total-tract digestibility, concentrations of cannabinoids in plasma, urine, muscle, adipose tissues were compared among nonlactating Holstein cows receiving basal partial mixed ration that was supplemented with either 10.2% (DM) hemp (HM treatment), 13.5% DM canola (CM or 6.25% 6.16% (HC treatment). Diets formulated to isoenergetic isonitrogenous. Six nonlactating, nonpregnant used repeated 3 × Latin square design trial three 3-wk experimental periods. The first 2 weeks each served adaptation. Sample data collection occurred during the third week period. Neither nor contain cannabidiol (CBD), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), d9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), tetrahydrocannabinolic A (THCA-A). However, contained 3.0, 4.4, 0, 0.1 μg/g CBD, CBDA, THC, THCA-A, respectively. Treatment did affect DMI, pH, volatile fatty acids ammonia rumen, digestibilities crude protein, plasma glucose, urea, β-hydroxybutyrate, nonesterified acids. Hence, based on these treatment nutritional status cows. neutral detergent fiber digestibility CM (43%) higher than HM (38%). No detected fluid, urine. Cannabinoids also kidney, liver, at end experiment when had undergone all treatments. Feces from treatments detectable THC feces HC 0.42 0.40 CBD 0.68 0.67 This indicated most ingested CBDA absorbed instead excreted feces. Our show dietary inclusion rates up DM. We find is high-quality safe