A Crop In Waiting
Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) has long been cultivated for fiber, seed, and recently for cannabidiol (CBD). Yet despite the excitement around CBD oils and wellness products, many farmers have faced volatility, regulation hurdles, and uncertain markets. In Minnesota, hemp has been a specialty crop grown on just a fraction of the state’s farmland since 2016.
John Strohfus and other growers have long believed hemp’s future lies in something more stable—animal feed. Hemp seed meal, a byproduct of oil extraction, is nutrient-rich and offers a sustainable alternative to conventional feed ingredients.
The turning point arrived in August 2024 when the Association of American Feed Control Officials, in collaboration with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), officially approved hemp seed meal as a feed ingredient for laying hens.
The decision set strict limits—no more than 2 ppm of THC and 20 ppm of CBD—and allowed the meal to constitute up to 20% of the hens’ diet. Shortly after, Minnesota became one of the first states to adopt the approval, paving the way for hemp seed meal to be used legally across poultry farms statewide.
Finding The Feed Lane
At a feed processing plant near Waconia, containers once filled with soy and canola are now used to blend hemp seed meal. For Minnesota-based companies like Hemp Acres—previously focused on hemp grain and fiber—this transition marks a turning point.
The introduction of hemp-based livestock feed has provided a solid foundation for farmers, offering a dependable market that encourages sustainable growth and expansion across the agricultural sector.
For poultry farmers, hemp seed meal represents more than a new trend—it symbolizes progress and balance. With its rapid growth rate, minimal resource requirements, and ability to enhance soil health, the crop offers a valuable addition to rotation systems.
Its nutrient density rivals that of traditional feed sources, making it both practical and sustainable. The growing demand for viable markets highlights how integrating hemp into chicken feed marks a significant step forward for modern agriculture.
Beyond Chicken Feed
The implications stretch further than poultry. Researchers across the U.S. are exploring hemp seed meal as feed for cattle, dairy, and aquaculture. Studies at Oregon State University and Kansas State University indicate its protein content can match soy meal, though more data is needed on cannabinoid transfer to animal products.
Globally, regulation remains uneven. The U.S. now leads in allowing limited hemp feed use, while the EU and UK still require extensive novel-feed approvals. Despite this, trials are expanding, suggesting hemp feed could soon become an international reality.
The Regulatory Balancing Act
Progress has not come without constraints. Strict THC and CBD limits safeguard consumer safety and ensure cannabinoids don’t pass into meat, milk, or eggs. Encouragingly, FDA studies found no detectable transfer from hens fed with hemp meal. Still, states vary in their adoption speed, and the Hemp Feed Coalition continues to advocate for broader approvals.
Minnesota’s approach aligns with the AAFCO model, demanding rigorous testing and documentation from processors. The result is an emerging market that balances innovation with accountability—a blend of agricultural tradition and scientific precision.
A New Hold-Fast For Farmers
For farmers who once saw hemp as risky, this shift offers stability. With over 200 licensed hemp growers and processors in Minnesota, the approval brings optimism for increased acreage, improved yields, and diversified income.
Levine points out that as more acres are planted and yields rise, costs will drop—making hemp a realistic rotation crop instead of a speculative venture.
Sustainability adds another dimension. Hemp’s deep roots improve soil structure, its rapid growth supports carbon capture, and its versatility reduces dependency on imported soybeans. This diversification strengthens food systems and empowers farmers to adopt regenerative practices.
The Promise Ahead
Standing at the edge of his frost-dusted field, Strohfus senses a quiet revolution. Where uncertainty once lingered, structure and opportunity now take hold. As “hemp-fed” eggs enter the market and processors secure steady contracts, the transformation of American hemp from niche crop to mainstream commodity feels within reach.
Challenges remain—consistent regulation, market education, and infrastructure—but optimism outweighs caution. The story of hemp seed meal is one of resilience, reinvention, and renewal. It symbolizes how farmers can adapt, diversify, and lead the shift toward more sustainable agriculture.
In Minnesota’s wind-swept fields, a once-forgotten crop now grows into a symbol of possibility—a reminder that progress in farming often starts not with a revolution, but with a seed.
