| Abstrakt: |
Simple Summary: Industrial hemp by-products have yet to be approved by the organizations governing what can be considered an animal feed ingredient, highlighting the importance of determining the safety and efficacy of hempseed meal as a potential feed ingredient for ruminants. In this study, hempseed meal, a by-product of hemp oil production, was offered to yearling rough-stock bulls at 10% of the diet. No effects on weight, interim intake, or efficiency were observed, suggesting that the overall performance of animals offered the hempseed meal versus a control supplement was not different. Bulls offered the hempseed meal supplement were also observed to maintain an elevated dry matter intake per day compared to bulls offered the control supplement. Furthermore, elevated plasma urea nitrogen concentrations were observed in the bulls offered the hempseed meal. Bulls offered the hempseed meal performed similarly to those fed the same nutrient profile of standard, commercially available feed ingredients, indicating comparable nutrient availability. This demonstrates the potential of hempseed meal to effectively compete against readily available feed ingredients. Yearling rough-stock bulls (n = 38) were utilized in a randomized complete block design to evaluate dietary hempseed meal (HSM) inclusion on growth (ADG), intake (DMI), and efficiency (F:G). Bulls were blocked by body weight (BW), grouped into 10 pens (n = 3–4 bulls/pen), and randomly assigned to an HSM or control supplement treatment (CON; 72.5% cottonseed meal, 14.5% soy hulls, 13% fat). Treatments were offered at 10%, while 90% was fed as a mixed ration [50% Bermuda grass hay, 40% textured commercial feed (10% CP)]. Diet samples were dried and DMI was calculated. F:G was evaluated using DMI and ADG. Blood for plasma analysis and BW were obtained on sample days, prior to feed delivery. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure in SAS version 9.4. The results were considered significant when p ≤ 0.050. There was no treatment × time interaction, or treatment effect for interim BW, ADG, or F:G (p ≥ 0.100). A treatment × time interaction occurred for DMI (p < 0.01), and BW (p = 0.01) increased in all bulls over time, while ADG decreased (p = 0.005), suggesting that interim live performance was not affected by HSM. Plasma urea nitrogen increased over time (p < 0.001) in all bulls, with greater concentrations observed in HSM bulls (p = 0.043). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
