Thursday, 01 December 2022 13:30

High Cows?

Written by  Milking It

Dairy cows that chomped on industrial hemp produced milk that contained the psychoactive compound THC, as well as CBD and other cannabinoids, according to new research published Monday in the journal Nature Food.

The animals’ behaviour changed too: They yawned, salivated, appeared unsteady on their feet and even had red eyes, the researchers observed.

The findings raise further questions about the future viability of feeding industrial hemp to livestock, a practice that is currently outlawed in the US because of concerns about cannabinoids making their way into the nation’s food supply chain. But hemp is nutritious, cheap and widely available, which is why farmers and ranchers are curious about any potential effects of feeding it to their animals.

More like this

It's all about economics

OPINION: According to media reports, the eye-watering price of butter has prompted Finance Minister Nicola Willis to ask for a 'please explain' from her former employer Fonterra.

Red line on dairy

OPINION: As India negotiates to open its borders to more global products, dairy is proving a sticky issue.

Farmland security

OPINION: Paranoia about foreigners is at an all-time high in the US and attention is now turning to foreign-owned farmland.

Cuddling cows

OPINION: Years of floods and low food prices have driven a dairy farm in England's northeast to stop milking its cows and instead charge visitors to cuddle them.

Featured

Editorial: A Sensible Decision

OPINION: For thousands of Southland farmers, this week would have tipped them into the non-compliant category when it comes to following regional freshwater plan rules. But the Government has stepped in to give them the clarity they deserve.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Too Lenient

OPINION: Reckless action by Greenpeace in 2024 forced Fonterra to shut down a drying plant for four hours, costing the co-op…

Fossil Fuel Crusade

OPINION: The global crusade against fossil fuel is gaining momentum in some regions.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter