Industrial Hemp Shows Promise for Diversifying Animal Feed Ingredients

September 10, 2026

We need more diverse and sustainable animal feed ingredients to build more resilient agricultural systems. Another new MBOLD Protein Catalyst report looks at how industrial hemp seed meal (HSM) could offer a promising pathway to diversify animal feed ingredients.

The report, “Industrial Hemp: Opportunities and Challenges for Use as an Animal Feed Ingredient,” was informed by animal nutritionists, researchers, and supply chain partners. It provides a comprehensive look at HSM’s nutritional attributes, regulatory landscape, and market opportunities. Findings emphasize the need for continued species-specific feeding trials and deeper evaluation to fully understand hemp’s potential.

This effort builds on MBOLD’s recent assessments of canola and winter camelina. It reflects our broader commitment to evaluating emerging feed ingredients and better understanding what it will take to meaningfully scale these crops. Special thanks to AURI for preparing the report.

Thanks to Builder's Vision and McKnight Foundation for supporting the development of these reports.