Some of you know that a little, shall we say, hemp, will mellow a person out. Well, now researchers at Kansas State University say industrial hemp could find a new use at cattle feed. A new study shows hemp makes cattle more relaxed. Imagine that. The K-State researchers fortified cattle feed with industrial hemp, a cousin of marijuana, that has low levels of the psychoactive component THC. They found the diet lowered stress levels in the cattle and increased the amount of time they spent lying down. That could prove beneficial to ranchers, because relaxed steers are healthier.
Researchers say hemp may be a natural way to decrease stress and inflammation that happens when cattle are being transported or weaned. After the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp production in the U. S., interest has grown in hemp as feed for animals. More research and FDA approval would be required before hemp could be fed to livestock or pets.
