The worldwide animal feed market is enormous. According to a market analysis by Grand View Research, “the global animal feed market size was estimated at USD 570.72 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 816.78 billion by 2030.”
Hemp is being used as a source for animal feed, albeit in a much more limited fashion compared to other crops. Common types of animal feed used around the world include, but are not limited to, corn, oats, barley, wheat, and hay.
“The global hemp animal feed market is projected to expand from USD 657. 3 million in 2025 to USD 927.2 million by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 3.5%.” stated Future Market Insights about a recent market analysis that it conducted.
“North American suppliers are scaling co-product processing, while European buyers demand strict traceability and residue compliance. Inclusion rates of 10-18% in cattle feed trials have shown improved digestibility and omega profile. Challenges remain around THC thresholds, inconsistent supply chains, and lack of pelleting infrastructure for mass-market integration.” the analysts also wrote.
“Non-GMO certified hemp feed holds a 29.2% share, while commercial livestock farms represent the largest end-use category with a 35.7% share. Strongest regional demand is noted across North America, Western Europe, and South Asia & Pacific.” stated the economic analysts.
Researchers affiliated with Oregon State University recently examined whether hemp byproducts could be safely used as a supplemental animal feed for livestock, finding that “trace amounts of psychoactive THC in hemp were undetectable in milk and edible tissue of dairy cows if the animals were weaned off the byproduct for about two weeks before milking or processing.”
“This study is one step forward in providing the data needed for FDA approval of spent hemp biomass as a feed supplement for livestock,” said Massimo Bionaz, an associate professor in the department of animal and rangeland sciences at OSU, according to original reporting by Capital Press.
Research focusing on hemp as an animal feed is still young, and further research is needed. However, the research conducted at Oregon State University builds on encouraging prior research that examined hemp seed as feed for laying hens and hemp plants as feed for grazing cattle.