Effects of hempseed cake on ruminal fermentation parameters, nutrient digestibility, nutrient flow, and nitrogen balance in finishing steers.

This article investigates the effects of feeding hempseed cake as a 20% dietary inclusion on ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestibility, and nitrogen (N) balance in finishing red Angus steers, compared to diets containing dried corn distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) or no byproduct (CON). Steers fed the hempseed cake diet (HEMP) exhibited higher ruminal volatile fatty acid and ammonia concentrations, greater ruminal and total tract N digestibility, and increased N retention, despite a decrease in total tract organic matter digestibility likely due to higher acid detergent fiber content. Amino acid flow to the small intestine was not significantly affected, possibly because ruminally degradable protein supply exceeded requirements across diets. The findings suggest hempseed cake has greater ruminal protein degradability than DDGS or corn and could serve as a viable alternative feed ingredient in finishing cattle diets, though further research is recommended to assess its effects under varying dietary protein and starch levels.