Feeding Hemp May Reduce Stress in Cattle – Vet Guide 2025 🌿🐄

Hello, I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc. Emerging evidence from Kansas State University's 2022 study shows that feeding industrial hemp—rich in CBDA—can lower stress and inflammation in cattle. In this 2025 guide, discover how hemp works, preliminary results, regulatory landscape, and how Ask A Vet ensures safe, effective, and compliant application.

1. The Science Behind Hemp for Stress Relief

Industrial hemp, low in THC but high in CBD/CBDA, interacts with cattle’s endocannabinoid system. Kansas State's peer-reviewed study involving 16 Holstein steers showed hemp-fed cattle:

• Spent more time lying down (14.1 h/day vs 13.4 h controls) :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
• Had significantly lower blood cortisol and prostaglandin E₂—key stress and inflammation markers :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
• Accumulated cannabinoids transiently, with no long-term buildup :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

2. Why Calm Cattle Matter

• 🐮 **Better Welfare:** Reduced stress improves animal welfare and performance.
• 🚚 **Healthier Transitions:** Shown promise during weaning and transportation phases to lessen respiratory issues :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
• 💤 **Improved Rumen Function:** More lying time supports rumination and saliva production.

3. How the Study Was Designed

• Holstein steers (≈447 kg) received 25 g/day hemp (≈5.5 mg/kg CBDA) for 14 days mixed via grain :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
• Continuous accelerometer monitoring and blood biomarkers assessed stress response.
• Results were statistically significant without negative impacts on liver enzymes or animal health :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.

4. Regulatory & Safety Considerations ⚠️

• ✅ Industrial hemp (<0.3% THC) is federally legal since the 2018 Farm Bill but not FDA-approved for cattle feed :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
• 🧪 Recent FDA/AAFCO progress allows hemp seed meal in layer feed (≤20 ppm CBD, ≤2 ppm THC) :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
• ⚖️ Hemp byproducts show promise nutritionally, but widespread livestock approval is still pending :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
• 🔬 Ongoing research is determining withdrawal times and cannabinoid residue in meat and milk :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}

5. Ask A Vet 2025 Guidance & Strategy

• 📝 Personalized trial protocols for safe, regulatory-compliant hemp feeding
• 📊 Tools to monitor animal behavior, biomarkers, and withdrawal times
• 🛡️ Integration with management during high-stress events (weaning, transport, handling)
• 🧾 Staying ahead of FDA/AAFCO updates and consumer safety guidelines

6. Practical Implementation Tips

• ✅ Source industrial hemp with verified CBDA levels (<0.3% THC)
• ⚖️ Feed measured doses (e.g., 25 g hemp in grain) under vet supervision
• 🔍 Monitor behavior changes and check cortisol/inflammation markers if possible
• ⏱️ Stop feeding prior to harvest to allow cannabinoid-clearance (TBD by upcoming studies)

7. 2025 Key Take-Home Insights

• Evidence-backed stress reduction: Hemp increases lying time, lowers cortisol and inflammation :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
• Behavioral benefit: More rest, better rumination
• No long-term cannabinoid build-up: Safe for short-term feeding :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
• Regulatory caution: Not yet FDA-approved for cattle; seed meal allowed in poultry :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
• Ask A Vet provides vet-guided implementation: compliance tracking, withdrawal planning, stress metric recording

Conclusion

Industrial hemp is emerging as a promising, natural tool for reducing stress and inflammation in cattle, particularly during key production events. The 2022 Kansas State study offers solid evidence—but widespread adoption must wait for regulatory approval and further research into residues and withdrawal. Ask A Vet can help you responsibly test and monitor hemp's effects in your herd, recover data, and align with evolving guidelines. Ready to explore stress-management strategies for 2025? Let’s talk.