AAFCO Approves Hempseed Meal for Laying Hens - National Hemp Association

On August 7th, 2024, the Hemp Feed Coalition (HFC) achieved a historic success as the full Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) membership approved the Ingredient Definition for Hempseed Meal (HSM) for Laying Hens. This federal approval represents a monumental moment for the hemp industry and a leap forward in animal nutrition. This is a critical first step in opening the door to widespread use of hemp grain in animal feed.

Hempseed Meal is not just another feed ingredient; it’s a powerhouse of nutrition. Packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and a complete protein profile—including all 20 amino acids and the nine essential ones—HSM offers unparalleled benefits for laying hens. Research has shown that incorporating HSM into a hen’s diet significantly improves egg quality. Hens fed with hempseed meal lay eggs enriched with essential fatty acids like ALA, DHA, and GLA, which are vital for promoting human health.

The approval process was no small feat. It involved years of rigorous evaluations, detailed correspondence with the FDA-Center for Veterinary Medicine (FDA-CVM), and careful consideration by the AAFCO Ingredient Definition Committee. This victory is thanks to the relentless efforts of the Hemp Feed Coalition and its partners.  Their commitment to recognizing the value of hemp as a feed ingredient has been instrumental in achieving this success.

For farmers, the approval of Hempseed Meal provides a new avenue for crop rotation and farm flexibility, offering a nutritious and sustainable alternative to traditional feed sources like soy and canola. The nutritional benefits extend beyond the farm, as consumers will soon have access to eggs that are not only delicious but also nutritionally superior.

From left to right: HFC Executive Director, Morgan Tweet; HFC President, Andrew Bish; AAFCO Ingredient Definition Committee Chair Erin; HFC Board Member Bill Bookout

This milestone is just the beginning. The Hemp Feed Coalition remains dedicated to expanding the authorization of hemp seed products across a wider range of animals. As we look to the future, advocating for FDA and state-level approvals for hemp-based feed ingredients for pets and other non-production animals will be crucial in promoting agricultural diversity and sustainability.

The approval of Hempseed Meal for Laying Hens is more than just a win for the hemp industry—it’s a step towards a more resilient, diverse, and environmentally conscious agricultural future. Let’s keep the momentum going and continue to champion the integration of hemp into all aspects of animal nutrition.

AAFCO Approves Hempseed Meal for Laying Hens - National Hemp Association

Hemp Seed Meal Achieves Monumental Milestone on Path to Federal Approval

Hemp Seed Meal Tentatively Approved for Laying Hens

In a landmark achievement for the hemp industry, our friends at the Hemp Feed Coalition helped secure a tentative approval of Hemp Seed Meal (HSM) for Laying Hens at the recent Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) Mid-Year Meeting.

FDA agency gives go-ahead on definition of 'hemp seed meal' for laying hens https://t.co/5WlakOQWPr via @hemptodaynews

— Scotty (@StLHandyMan) January 31, 2024

With the FDA-Center for Veterinary Medicine’s (FDA-CVM’s) recommendation for approval, the Ingredient Definition Committee approved the HSM tentative definition on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, with no opposition. This will go before AAFCO’s Board and members for final approval, and then be adopted into the Official Publication later this year. This historic milestone has been more than three years in the making and will allow processors to formulate with HSM in the diets of laying hens as a source of protein and fat at an inclusion of no more than 20%. To see the ingredient definition in its entirety, please visit hempfeedcoalition.org.

The Hemp Feed Coalition announces FDA-CVM’s recommendation for approval of Hemp Seed Meal for laying hens as a protein and fat source at AAFCO mid-year meeting.

 January 24, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Hemp Feed Coalition (HFC) a 501(c)(3) dedicated to obtaining federal approval for hemp grain products in animal feed, is pleased to announce a landmark achievement with the tentative approval of Hemp Seed Meal (HSM) for Laying Hens at the recent Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) Mid-Year Meeting. With the FDA-Center for Veterinary Medicine’s (FDA-CVM’s) recommendation for approval, the Ingredient Definition Committee approved the HSM tentative definition on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, with no opposition. This will go before AAFCO’s Board and members for final approval, and then be adopted into the Official Publication later this year. This historic milestone has been more than three years in the making and will allow processors to formulate with HSM in the diets of laying hens as a source of protein and fat at an inclusion of no more than 20%. To see the ingredient definition in its entirety, please visit hempfeedcoalition.org.

This hemp grain derivative is a highly nutritious ingredient with a wide range of essential vitamins, minerals, healthy oils, and a complete protein profile. Research confirms the nutrition profile and functionality of hemp feed resemble that of soy and canola while alleviating concerns about its suitability as an ingredient. Evidence also shows increased value over typical feed sources, with significant improvement in egg quality as HSM concentration increases in the hen’s diet. Notably, hemp-fed hens lay eggs enriched with essential fatty acids such as ALA, DHA, and GLA, and increased amounts of Lutein which are known promotors for human health. The safety of HSM has been validated through FDA-CVM’s rigorous evaluation, providing formulators and feed mills assurance that HSM is a safe and viable protein and fat source. Data to support this application included the validated method and quantification of cannabinoids in both the ingredient and egg product, and it was verified that any potential cannabinoid contaminants did not transfer over to human food products.

Additional Info: MOhemp Energy: Hempseeds for Chickens Study: Effect of feeding hemp seed meal to laying hens Raw Hemp Seeds 

Safe, nutritious alternatives like HSM improve efficiencies across US feed supply chains. Feed mills and formulators have eagerly awaited this approval, having recognized the potential of hemp feed products long ago. HFC looks forward to collaborating with feed producers to incorporate HSM as a viable solution to their supply challenges.

Farmers interested in hemp have expressed their desire for additional rotations but are hesitant to do so without the risk mitigation of a feed market. New crops like hemp bring benefits to soil, disease control, and farm flexibility; and with hemp in particular, lower input needs, resulting in a more sustainable supply chain overall. "Hemp's integration into animal feed is a catalyst for agricultural advancement. It's an opportunity for farmers to diversify with lower risk for supply chains to become more sustainable, and for the entire agricultural community to reap the benefits of this versatile crop." - Andrew Bish, President of HFC and COO of Bish Enterprises, a company rooted in agricultural innovation.

HFC is excited to enable a more nutritious ingredient, reduce risk for farmers, and open hemp market opportunities. HFC members are proud to support these efforts and lay the groundwork for hemp grain products in feed across species. To learn more about the benefits of HSM for laying hens, join HFC and visit the MemberZone page to access additional data and resources.

Hemp Feed Coalition is a 501(c)(3) organization that consists of hemp and feed industry leaders dedicated to facilitating the health of our animals as well as the expansion of the hemp industry. HFC is currently prepping trial data and seeking partners- become a Champion of the next Hemp Feed Application.

Healthy Food, Healthy Feed, Healthy Planet

Morgan Tweet
Hemp Feed Coalition

Additional Info: MOhemp Energy: Hempseeds for Chickens Study: Effect of feeding hemp seed meal to laying hens Raw Hemp Seeds 1. Seed of the hemp cultivar Unika-b was cold-pressed to obtain hemp...

Hemp Seed as Poultry Feed Page 13

Broilers-Up to 20% dried and crushed hemp seeds have been used successfully in broiler diets and resulted in higher breast, leg and thigh weight. This positive effect has been linked to the combination of a good protein and lipid quality associated to other beneficial properties, such as the lack of trypsin inhibitors and the antioxidant activity. Feeding broilers with hemp seed powder at 20% resulted in better feed conversion ratio, higher live-weight gain and lower age at slaughter, and lower mortality rate.

FDA agency gives go-ahead on definition of 'hemp seed meal' for laying hens https://t.co/5WlakOQWPr via @hemptodaynews

— Scotty (@StLHandyMan) January 31, 2024

Laying hens With hens fed on 20% of cold-pressed hemp seed meal, no significant differences were found between feed treatments for egg production, feed consumption, feed efficiency, body weight change or egg quality. Increasing dietary inclusion of hemp seed meal produced eggs with lower concentrations of palmitic acid and higher concentrations of linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids

Reference: Khan et al., 2010), Silversides et al., 2005, http://mohemp.blogspot.com/2015/06/hempseed-animal-food-nutritional.html#sthash.avrJIHxW.dpuf

MOhemp Energy Presentation Slideshow Table of Contents

Page     Description

             Title Page

             Table of Contents

1. MOhemp Energy Introduction
2. What is Industrial Hemp
3. Why Grown Industrial Hemp
4. Hemp Plants were grown in Missouri
5. Industrial Hemp Products and Markets
6. MOhemp Income Producing Avenues
7. MOhemp Field Processing System
8. Missouri Soybean and Corn Production Stats
9. Missouri Farm Size Acres
10. Missouri Corn and Soybean Acres
11. Missouri Corn and Soybean Acres Converted to Hemp Farming
12. Hemp Seed Nutrition Value
13. Hemp Seed Cattle and Ruminant Feed
14. Hemp Seed Poultry Feed

- See more at: http://mohemp.blogspot.com/2015/06/mohemp-energy-funding-slideshow-table.html#sthash.boe4EE1s.dpuf