Advances in the use of hemp in livestock feed

In recent years, hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) and its derivative products, including cannabidiol (CBD) oil, seeds, and fiber, have gained recognition as versatile agricultural commodities with the potential to benefit multiple industries worldwide. In the United States, hemp production, primarily for CBD use, which accounts for approximately 62% of cultivated hemp, has experienced a resurgence following its removal from the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act with the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill (USDA, 2020). Despite this shift, hemp and its by-products remain ineligible for commercial use in animal agriculture in the United States, as they require approval from the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (FDA-CVM) before they can be used in animal feed.