Feeding Hemp in Cattle: Can It Reduce Stress and Improve Welfare?

By Dr Duncan Houston

Managing stress in cattle is one of the most important and most underestimated drivers of performance.

Stress affects:

• feed intake

• immune function

• respiratory disease risk

• weight gain

• reproductive performance

Most producers focus on handling, transport, and environment. That is correct. But there is growing interest in whether nutrition can also help reduce stress responses.

One emerging area is the use of industrial hemp and its compounds, particularly CBDA.

This article breaks down what the research actually shows, what it does not show yet, and how to approach this topic safely and realistically in a production setting.

Quick Answer

Early research suggests that feeding industrial hemp containing CBDA may reduce stress markers and increase resting behaviour in cattle. However, it is not currently approved for routine livestock feeding in many regions, and more research is needed on residues, withdrawal periods, and long-term safety. Any use should be cautious, monitored, and guided by veterinary and regulatory advice.

What Is Hemp and Why Is It Being Studied?

Industrial hemp is a plant from the Cannabis family that contains:

• very low THC (non-psychoactive levels)

• higher levels of cannabinoids such as CBD and CBDA

The focus in livestock research is not intoxication. It is physiology.

These compounds interact with the endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in:

• stress response

• inflammation

• behaviour

• pain modulation

The question researchers are asking is simple:

Can these compounds help cattle cope better with stress?

What the Research Shows So Far

Research from Kansas State University has explored this in controlled studies.

In one study involving Holstein steers:

• cattle fed hemp spent more time lying down

• cortisol levels were reduced

• inflammatory markers such as prostaglandin E2 were lower

• cannabinoids were detected temporarily but did not accumulate long term

What This Means Clinically

This is important, but it needs interpretation.

• More lying time suggests improved comfort or reduced stress

• Lower cortisol suggests a reduced physiological stress response

• Reduced inflammatory markers suggest a potential systemic effect

However, this is early-stage evidence, not a production-ready solution.

Why Reducing Stress Actually Matters

Stress is not just a welfare issue.

It directly impacts production.

During Key Stress Events

• weaning

• transport

• yarding and handling

• environmental change

Stress increases:

• disease susceptibility

• respiratory disease risk

• weight loss

• recovery time

Potential Benefits of Reduced Stress

If stress can be reduced effectively, outcomes may include:

• better feed intake

• improved rumen function

• fewer disease events

• improved weight gain

Practical Insight

Anything that improves lying time and rumination has the potential to improve performance.

But it must be safe, consistent, and legal.

How the Study Was Conducted

The study design matters when interpreting results.

• Holstein steers around 447 kg

• fed approximately 25 g/day hemp

• equivalent to about 5.5 mg/kg CBDA

• feeding period of 14 days

• behaviour monitored using accelerometers

• blood markers used to assess stress and inflammation

Key Takeaway

The study was:

• controlled

• short-term

• small-scale

This means results are promising but not yet widely generalisable.

Regulatory and Safety Considerations

This is where many producers need to be cautious.

Current Regulatory Position

• Industrial hemp (<0.3% THC) is federally legal in some regions

• It is not widely approved as a standard livestock feed ingredient

• Regulatory bodies are still evaluating:

  • safety

  • residue levels

  • withdrawal periods

Why This Matters

Using unapproved feed ingredients can create:

• compliance issues

• market access problems

• residue concerns in meat or milk

Current Reality

Hemp is:

• promising

• under active research

• not yet standard practice

Severity Framework: Where Hemp Fits Right Now

Low Impact Use

• experimental trials

• research settings

Action:
Monitor closely under veterinary guidance.

Moderate Potential Use

• targeted use in high-stress events

• controlled farm trials

Action:
Use cautiously with monitoring and compliance awareness.

High Impact Potential (Future)

• integrated into stress management protocols

• used alongside nutrition and handling strategies

Action:
Dependent on regulatory approval and further research.

Critical Warning

• unregulated or unmonitored use

Action:
Avoid. Risk outweighs benefit.

Practical Implementation Considerations

If exploring hemp use in a controlled setting:

Source Matters

• verified industrial hemp

• THC below legal thresholds

• known cannabinoid profile

Dose Control

• measured inclusion rates

• avoid guesswork

• consistency is critical

Monitoring

• behaviour changes

• feed intake

• health outcomes

Where possible:

• monitor stress markers

Withdrawal Planning

• discontinue use prior to slaughter

• follow emerging research guidance

Decision Checkpoints for Producers

• If stress is poorly managed → fix environment first

• If nutrition is poor → correct diet before adding supplements

• If regulatory clarity is lacking → proceed cautiously

• If using hemp → monitor outcomes closely

Common Mistakes

• assuming hemp is already fully approved

• using unverified products

• focusing on supplements instead of management

• ignoring withdrawal considerations

• expecting rapid or dramatic results

What Still Needs to Be Answered

Before widespread adoption:

• long-term safety data

• residue levels in meat and milk

• defined withdrawal periods

• consistency across production systems

FAQ

Does hemp make cattle “high”?

No. Industrial hemp contains very low THC and is not used for intoxication.

Does it reduce stress?

Early studies suggest it may reduce stress markers, but more research is needed.

Is it approved for cattle feed?

Not widely. Regulatory approval is still evolving.

Can it improve performance?

Possibly indirectly through stress reduction, but evidence is still limited.

Should I use it now?

Only cautiously, and ideally under veterinary and regulatory guidance.

Final Thoughts

Hemp is an interesting development in livestock nutrition.

It represents a shift toward:

• managing stress biologically

• supporting animal welfare

• improving resilience

But it is not a shortcut.

The fundamentals still matter most:

• good nutrition

• proper handling

• environmental management

• disease control

If those are not right, no supplement will fix the problem.

If you are exploring ways to reduce stress in your cattle, assess feeding strategies, or evaluate emerging tools like hemp within a safe and compliant framework, ASK A VET™ can help guide practical decisions and monitor outcomes as the science continues to evolve.