HEMPSEED MEAL FROM HEMP OIL PROCESSING – A NEW PROTEIN SUPPLEMENT FOR MEAT GOATS IN THE US

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: ACTIVE
• Funding Source: OTHER GRANTS
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1026170
• Grant No.: 2021-38821-34716
• Cumulative Award Amt.: $500,000.00
• Proposal No.: 2020-11081
• Project Start Date: Apr 15, 2021
• Project End Date: Apr 14, 2026
• Grant Year: 2021
• Program Code: [EQ]- Research Project

Recipient Organization
TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY
(N/A)
TUSKEGEE,AL 36088

Performing Department
Agric and Envsci

Non Technical Summary
Industrial hemp is being investigated currently as a potential new cash crop in the US with thepassage of the 2014 and 2018 Farm Bills. Hemp seeds are utilized in the production of hemp oiland result in the production of Hempseed Meal (HSM). The HSM is high in crude protein, and fibermaking it an ideal candidate as a feedstuff for ruminant animals. However, HSM has not beenapproved for use as animal feedstuffs by USDA/FDA/CVM to date. Tuskegee University is amongfive Alabama universities licensed by the state to grow and study industrial hemp. The goal of thiscollaborative research project is to conduct necessary feeding trials involving goats as ruminantmodels so that HSM can be approved as a novel animal feed within the United States. Specificobjectives are to: establish an average nutrient profile by evaluating samples grown in differentstates, determine apparent digestibility, determine the optimal inclusion rates of HSM for differentclasses of meat goats and their impacts on growth performance, rumen profile, blood chemistry,immunity, carcass quality, submit application for New Ingredient Definitions to AAFCO(Association of American Feed Control Officials), and ultimately seek approval for HSM as afeedstuff from the USDA/FDA. It is expected that this project will provide a groundwork forapproval of HSM as a feedstuff for goats and support industrial hemp industry. The proposedproject will aid in achieving USDA-NIFA strategic goals to ensure the Sustainable/RuralCommunities for 21st Century (Expanded Opportunities for Small Business and Small Farms.

Animal Health Component

100%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

0%

Applied

100%

Developmental

0%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
302	5230	1010	100%

Knowledge Area
302 - Nutrient Utilization in Animals;

Subject Of Investigation
5230 - Feed and feed additives;

Field Of Science
1010 - Nutrition and metabolism;

Keywords

aafco

hempseed meal

usda/fda

feedstuff

meat goats

Goals / Objectives
1.Establish an average nutrient profile of HSM samples involving many varieties grown in different states, and different parts of Alabama, determine their rumen undegradable and degradable protein values, andIn VitroTrue Digestibility.2.Evaluate the effects of different inclusion rates of HSM on apparent nutrient digestibility, and passage kinetics in meat goats.Evaluate the impact hempseed meal supplementation on different classes of meat goats on growth performance, rumen profile, blood chemistry traits, carcass quality, fresh and cooked characteristics of meat.Evaluate the effect that HSM supplementation on cytokine concentration and expression, cell-mediated, and antibody-mediated responses.Determine the costs of producing HSM and its economic value relative to the industrial hemp industry.Submit New Ingredient Definitions for HSM to AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials), andultimately seek approval for hempseed meal as a feedstuff from the USDA/FDA.?

Project Methods
Objective # 1: Establish an average nutrient profile of HSM samples grown in different states, and different parts of Alabama, determine their rumen undegradable and degradable protein values, and In Vitro True Digestibility.Samples from over 100 different batches of HSM from across the United States and Alabama will be analyzed for nutrient composition by Holmes Laboratory (Millersburg, OH). A database will be established based on the location where hemp seeds are produced. The soil types, climatic conditions, and agronomic characteristics of crop production of each location will be recorded. Out of the 100 different batches from across the United States, sub-samples will be taken to undergo In Vitro True Digestibility to help in establishing a digestibility value.Objective # 2: Evaluate the effects of different inclusion rates of HSM on apparent nutrient digestibility, and passage kinetics in meat goatsThis objective will be to evaluate the effects of different inclusion rates of HSM on apparent nutrient digestibility and passage kinetics in meat goats. This study will provide us guidelines on the optimum level of HSM inclusion without any adverse effects on nutrient digestion and passage kinetics.Four uniform mature castrated meat goats (Boer-cross) will be used in a 4 x 4 Latin Square experimental design. The diets will comprise of 50% hay and 50% concentrate with varying levels (i.e.0, 10, 20, and 30% supplementation) of HSM as a TMR. Animals will be given ytterbium-treated hay. Goats will be offered diets daily to obtain over 10% TMR refusals. Bodyweight will be recorded every week 4 h after withdrawing feed and water. Concentrates will be isonitrogenous with 16% crude protein. For determination of digestion and passage kinetics, each collection period will consist of 21 days with 16 days of diet adjustment followed by 5 days of total collection of feces and urine for estimating digestibility and nitrogen balance. Feed and feces will be analyzed for constituents such as dry matter, ash, nitrogen, and NDF, and urine will be analyzed for DM and nitrogen.Objective # 3: Evaluate the impact hempseed meal supplementation on growth performance, rumen profile, blood chemistry traits, carcass quality, fresh and cooked characteristics of different classes of meat goats. 3.1: Intact male goats: Forty crossbred Boer goats, approximately 4-5 months of age will be purchased and randomly assigned to one of four treatments (n=10). Treatments will consist of varying levels of hempseed meal supplementation (i.e. 0, 10, 20, and 30%). This trial will last 84 days, animals will be fed twice a day and feed intake will be recorded. Bodyweight will be collected three times throughout the trial. Additionally, rumen fluid from each goat will be collected on days 0, 50, and 84 for analysis of the VFA profile. Urine and blood samples will be taken at different intervals to determine if any metabolites from the hempseed meal are present in either the urine or blood. Blood will also be collected three times throughout the study to assess serum chemistry profiles. Before each feeding, the refused feed will be weighed to determine the feed intake for each animal over the 84-day feeding period. Animal BW will be collected on days 0, 50, and 84 of the feeding periods to calculate BW gain, ADG, and gain: feed ratios.At the end of the performance trial (84 d), goats will be weighed for two consecutive days and transported to Auburn University, Lambert-Powell Meats Lab, and harvested according to USDA approved methods.3.2: Castrated male goats: Similar procedures will be used for this class of goats also.3.3: Pregnant and Lactating Does: Forty, pregnant female Boer goats will be selected and randomly assigned to one of four treatments. Diets will be 50% concentrate and contain 0, 10, 20, or 30% HSM of the total diet, replacing soybean meal as a high-protein feedstuff. Does will be housed in group pens with two groups of five animals per treatment. Does will be estrus-synchronized for breeding. Ultrasound pregnancy diagnosis will be performed at 25 and 40 days post-breeding.Daily ad libitum feed intake will be determined during the 120-day gestation phase. Body and body condition score (BCS) will be assessed and blood samples collected on day 0, 60, and 120. Blood will be analyzed for glucose, lactation, nonesterified fatty acids, triglycerides, cholesterol, urea, albumin, and total protein. The number of kids and birth weight will be determined, and colostrum samples will be collected. Colostrum will be analyzed for immunoglobulins (Ig). Total concentrations of IgA, IgM, and IgG will be determined as described by Goetsch et al. (2014).Does will continue on the same treatments for the first 60 days of lactation. Bodyweight and BCS will be determined and milk and blood samples will be collected on days 0, 30, and 60. Milk will be analyzed for Samples were analyzed for fat, protein, lactose, and somatic cell count at the Dairy Herd Improvement Laboratory for Goats at Langston University as noted by Silva et al. (2018), and blood will be analyzed for the constituents noted above.3.4: Breeding Bucks: Forty, young (5 to 6 months of age) Boer bucks will be randomly assigned to one of four treatments (0, 10, 20, or 30% HSM; n=10). Bucks will undergo a 100-day feeding trial. Blood will be collected for serum chemistry analysis on day 0, 50, and 100. Bodyweight and BCS will also be determined at these three times. Scrotal circumference will be measured on day 100 and semen quality and motility will be assessed to determine if hempseed meal supplementation has any effect.Objective # 4: Evaluate the effect that hempseed meal supplementation has on cytokine concentration and expression, cell-mediated, and antibody-mediated responsesGoats from objective # 3.2 will be used for this objective. Animals will also undergo a series of assessments to evaluate their immune system and responses to examine what influence HSM supplementation may have on the immune system and responses.Objective # 5: Determine the costs of producing hempseed meal and economic value of hempseed meal relative to the industrial hemp industry.The value of HSM will be determined by computing different components of the hemp seed crush and the crush margin.The typical assumption is that 25-30% of cold-pressing is an oil by weight. The HSM makes up to 70% of the weight. There is also a waste material which is referred to as the "foot" of the "sediment" which makes up approximately 1% of the overall weight. This "foot" can be reduced even further by simple filtering, as is composed of a mixture of hemp seed oil and seed cake granules and is not necessarily a separate byproduct. The values of these components obtained during the crush times from 2021 through 2023 will be used according to the procedure described by Irwin (2017).We will develop enterprise budgets for hemp seed meal, and also use surveys to ascertain economic value from producers. First, it is critical that the costs of production and expected revenue to be accrued from the production of hemp seed meal be ascertained. Therefore, enterprise budgets will be developed to ascertain costs and the expected revenue from the sale of the meal.Experiment 6: Submit New Ingredient Definitions for HSM to AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials), and ultimately seek approval for hempseed meal as a feedstuff from the USDA/FDA The team will apply for ingredient definitions to be published in the AAFO Official Publication (OP) following the approval by USDA/FDA/CVM (Center for Veterinary Medicine).

Progress 04/15/24 to 04/14/25

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience includes livestockproducers, industrial hemp industry, livestock feed industries, researchers, students, AAFCO, and private companies Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We have presented our results at various scientific forums and also conducted a seminar in 2024 involving producers, students, researchers, and other stakeholders. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Publications: Ale, Khim, B., Frank W. Abrahamsen, Arthur L. Goetsch, Jason T. Sawyer, Olga Bolden-Tiller, Chukwuemeka Okere, Reshma Gurung, Santosh Chaudhary, and N. K. Gurung. 2025. Effect of hempseed meal on health, growth performance, ruminal fermentation, and carcass traits of intact male goats. Translational Animal Science, 2025, 9, txae18, https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txae181. Zorn, V.E. Brandebourg, T.D. Mullenix, M.K. Belk, A.D. Ale, K.B. Abrahamsen, F.W., Gurung, N.K., and Sawyer, J.T. 2023. Influence of Hempseed Meal on Fresh Goat Meat Characteristics Stored in Vacuum Packaging. Animals 2023, 13, 2628. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13162628. Abrahamsen F, Min B. R., Okere C., Gurung, R., Gurung, N, and W, Abebe. 2022. Altering the gut microbiome of meat goats: Feeding varying levels of hempseed meal on animal performance, rumen microbiome abundance, and methanogen community changes of meat goats. BAOJ Microbial; 6(2): 1006-.1012. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?These activities are planned for the next year (March 2026): An additional year is required to complete the project activities. The primary reason for this extension is to investigate the effect of hempseed meal on methane emission and digestive heat production, which significantly impact the amount of energy available for production. Additional experiments will be conducted to examine energy balance and energy distribution in diets containing hempseed meal. Furthermore, to explain the decrease in methane energy loss resulting from the inclusion of hempseed meal in the diet, microbial communities will be analyzed for potential changes in methanogen species. This approach will not only enhance our understanding of the interaction between rumen microflora and energy loss in methane but also improve our ability to predict energy retention with hempseed meal diets. Additional time is also needed to complete laboratory analyses, microbial community assessments, and energy balance analyses. Other activities include statistical analyses, interpretation of data generated in each study, and preparation of publications for the widespread dissemination of the findings. c. It is expected that $130,514.62will remain unobligated at the end of the scheduled expiration date. d. Timetable April 2025 Energy partition experiment started. August 2025 Complete laboratory analyses of diet composition September 2025 Complete microbiome analyses October 2025 Complete statistical analyses February 2026 Complete preparation and submission of publications March 2026 Complete the final report.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective #1: We are still working to collect samples from various regions to develop a nutrient profile of HSM. However, the byproducts have not been as readily available as initially anticipated. So far, we have collected and analyzed 10 samples. We plan to gather additional samples this year. Regarding in vitro digestibility, the work has been completed and published. Objective #2: The animal experiment has been completed, and sample analysis is currently in progress. We anticipate completing this phase by the end of 2025. Additionally, the performance evaluation of different classes of goats fed HSM, including rumen profile, blood chemistry profile, carcass quality, and fresh and cooked characteristics, has been completed and published.Also, the effects of HSM on cytokine concentration and expression, cell-mediated, and antibody-mediated responses have been completed. Objectives 3 and 4: The economic analysis of the feeding value of HSM is currently underway. Similarly, the submission of new ingredient definitions for HSM is being coordinated with the Ruminant Coalition Group in the country.The Ruminant Coalition Group consists of institutions including Colorado State University, Tarleton State University, North Carolina State University, North Dakota State University, Kansas State University, and Oregon State University.?

Publications

• Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Effect of hempseed meal on health, growth performance, ruminal fermentation, and carcass traits of intact male goats.

Progress 04/15/23 to 04/14/24

Outputs
Target Audience:Students, Staff, Faculty Members, Producers, Regultory Agencies, and Stakeholders Changes/Problems:One ofthe major challanges we face is obtaining hemp seed meal samples from accross the country, despite our extensive networking efforts. However, we remain very optimistic that we will be able to gather enough samples in the future to establish a valid nutritional profile of hemp seed meal. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? This project has provided opportunities for 3 students to get trained in animal science research. This project fundedOne student for the PhD and 2 students for the master's degree. Students have participated in various conferences, and symposiums related to Hempseed Meal and Animal Nutrition. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The findings of our research haven been disseminated to the scientific communitythrough research articles and presentations at conferences and workshops. We are organizinga major event on Saturday, April 20, 2024 to showcase some of the research results to studentsa, staff, factlty, producers, and otherstakeholders. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?1. We haveconducted trials to find the apparent nutrient digestibility and passage kinetics of HSM in castratedmale goats still we have some work with passage rate to complete. We will complete the remaining work. 2. We are organizinga workshop on Goat Day On April 20, 2024,to disseminate the findings of our trials. We will work on establishing an average nutrient profile of HSM samples involving many varieties grown in different states, and different parts of Alabama, determining their rumen undegradable and degradable protein values, and In vitro True Digestibility. Determine the costs of producing HSM and its economic value relative to the industrial hemp industry. Submit New Ingredient Definitions for HSM to AAFCO, and ultimately seek approval for hempseed meal as a feedstuff from the USDA/FDA.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? 1. Evaluate the effect that HSM supplementation on cytokine concentration and expression, cell-mediated, and antibody-mediated responses. 2. Evaluate the effect of different inclusion rates of HSM on apparent digestibility, and passage kinetics in meat goats. 3. Evaluate the impact of hempseed meal supplementation on different classes of meat goats on growth performance, rumen profile, blood chemistry traits, carcass quality, freshand cooked characteristics of meat.

Publications

• Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Ale, K. B. (2023). Hempseed meal as a feed ingredient for intact male goats: Evaluating effects on feed intake, growth performance, growth efficiency, serum biochemistry, rumen fermentation, rumen papillae morphology, and carcass traits (Order No. 30574978). Available from Dissertations & Theses @ Tuskegee University; ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global: The Sciences and Engineering Collection. (2849847999). Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/hempseed-meal-as-feed-ingredient-intact-male/docview/2849847999/se-2
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Khim B Ale, Frank W Abrahamsen, Reshma Gurung, Santosh Chaudhary, Nar K Gurung, PSI-1 Assessing the Impact of Hempseed Meal Supplementation on Inflammatory Cytokine Concentrations in Boer X Spanish Intact Male Goats, Journal of Animal Science, Volume 101, Issue Supplement_3, November 2023, Pages 367368, https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skad281.436
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Santosh Chaudhary, Khim B Ale, Frank W Abrahamsen, Nar K Gurung, 78 Assessing nutrient digestibility in boer�spanish castrated male goats feeding varied levels of hempseed meal, Journal of Animal Science, Volume 102, Issue Supplement_1, March 2024, Pages 1516, https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae019.017

Progress 04/15/22 to 04/14/23

Outputs
Target Audience:Industrial Hemp Industry, Meat Goat Industry, Feed Companies, Researchers, Students, Producers, etc. Changes/Problems:We are not able to find enough samples for nutrient analysis from the different sources as expected. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project has provided opportunities for 3 students to get trained in animal science research. This project funded oOne student for the PhD and 2 students for the master's degree. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Findings of our research were disseminated to the scientific communities through research articles, and presentations at conferences and workshops, What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?1. We are planning to conduct trials to find the apparent nutrient digestibility and passage kinetics of HSM in intact malegoats. 2. We are planning to organize a workshop to disseminate the findings of our trial. 3. Dr. Goetsch is conducting a trial at Langston university to study the effects of the dietary level of hempseed meal on the productivity of Boer goat does during gestation and lactation.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? 1. We are collecting samples of HSM from different sources and also working with other researchers to know the average nutrient profile of HSM. 2. Feeding trials involving castrated and intact male goats fed varying levels of hemp seed are completed. 1. Four research articles which include theimpact of hempseed meal supplementation on castrated goats on growth performance, rumen profile, blood profile, serum biochemistry profile, carcass quality, and rumen microbes are published in peer-reviewed journals. 2. Findings of theresearch which include the impactof hempseed meal supplementation on intact male goats on growth performance, rumen profile, blood profile, serum biochemistry profile, carcass quality, and rumen microbes are being presented in conferences and manuscripts are being prepared. 3. Findings ofevaluation of the effect of HSM supplementation on cytokine concentration and expression, cell-mediated, and antibody-mediated response in castrated goats are published in a journal, and lab analysis for evaluation in castrated male goats is underway.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Abrahamsen, F. W., B. Min, C. Okere, R. Gurung, N. Gurung, and W. Abebe. 2022. Altering the gut microbiome of meat goats: Feeding varying levels of hempseed meal on animal. BAOJ Microbiol. 6. Gurung, R., K. B. Ale, F. W. Abrahamsen, K. Moyer, J. T. Sawyer, and N. Gurung. 2022. Carcass Traits of Growing Meat Goats Fed Different Levels of Hempseed Meal. Animals. 99:1515. doi:10.3390/ani12151986.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Ale, K.B., F. Abrahamsen, R. Gurung, T. Gautam, and N. Gurung. 2022. Feed intake, growth performance, feed efficiency, and dressing percentage of intact male goats fed with increasing level of hempseed meal. Proc. Int. Goa. Assoc. 13: 136 Ale, K.B., F. Abrahamsen, R. Gurung, T. Gautam, S. Chaudhary, and N. Gurung. 2022. Effect of Hempseed Meal on CellMediated Immune Response and Serum Biochemistry Profile in Boer X Spanish Intact Male Goats. Proc. Prof. Ag. Wor. Con. 80: 56-57
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2023 Citation: Ale K.B., F. Abrahamsen, R. Gurung, S. Chaudhary, T. Gautam, N. Gurung.2022. Effect of Inclusion of Hemp Seed Meal on Rumen Papillae Morphology and Rumen Fermentation of Boer X Spanish Intact Male Goats, Amer. Asso. of Ani. Sci. Southern Sec., Annual meeting,

Progress 04/15/21 to 04/14/22

Outputs
Target Audience:Industrial Hemp Industry, Meat Goat Industry, Feed Companies, Researchers, Students, Producers, etc. Products At Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?-Our collaborator Langston University will be evaluating the feeding value of hemp seed meal for gestating and lactating female goats.?

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? --We have completed feeding trials involving castrated and intact male goats fed varying levels of hemp seed meal. The data and sample analysis works are underway.

Publications