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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fargo, North Dakota » Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center » Food Animal Metabolism Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #393458
Research Project: Detection and Fate of Environmental Chemical and Biological Residues and their Impact on the Food Supply

Location: Food Animal Metabolism Research

Title: The impact of feeding hemp byproduct on carcass charcteristics

Author
item GUNDERSEN, KIERSTEN - North Dakota State University
item SWANSON, KENDALL - North Dakota State University
item DAHLEN, CARL - North Dakota State University
item WINDERS, THOMAS - North Dakota State University
item Serum, Eric
item Smith, David
item Neville, Bryan
item BERG, ERIC - North Dakota State University

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/2022
Publication Date: 6/1/2022
Citation: Gundersen, K., Swanson, K., Dahlen, C., Winders, T., Serum, E.M., Smith, D.J., Neville, B.W., Berg, E.P. 2022. The impact of feeding hemp byproduct on carcass charcteristics. 2022 Reciprocal Meat Conference. Abstract.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Hemp byproducts such as hempseed cake might be considered as an alternative protein and fiber source for ruminants such as cattle due to cattle’s digestive efficiency. However, cannabinoids (including cannabidiol [CBD] and (-)- '9-tetrahydrocannabinaol [THC]) found in hemp are concerning due to physiologic effects when consumed. CBD is known for anti-inflammatory activity, and THC for psychotropic activity. Yet, hemp with less than 0.3% THC (dry matter basis) remains an attractive feed alternative with precedence in animal rations predating the delegitimization of industrial cannabis in the early 20th century. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of inclusion of hempseed cake in a late finishing ration on the carcass characteristics of commercial heifers. Crossbred heifers (N = 32) were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments (CON or HEMP) and to 1 of 4 withdrawal dates (day 0, 1, 4, or 8) corresponding to treatment withdrawal prior to harvest. The CON treatment consisted of corn silage, corn grain, and dried distillers grain with solubles (DDGS) and the HEMP treatment replaced DDGS with hempseed cake. Carcass data included live weight (LW), hot carcass weight (HCW), dressing percentage (DP), USDA yield grade (YG), and quality grade (QG). PROC MIXED procedure from SAS 9.4 was used to determine treatment differences across fixed effects (treatment group and withdrawal time) for LW, HCW, DP, YG, and QG. Inclusion of hempseed cake in the finishing ration of commercial heifers did not affect carcass characteristics in either a positive or negative manner.