Physical Characterization of Ten Hemp Varieties to Use as Animal Bedding Material

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Hemp hurd is the inner bark of the plant’s stem and is typically seen as waste. The objective of this experiment was to describe the physical characteristics, such as moisture, water absorption, and ammonia absorption of ten hemp varieties (Fibranova, Codimono, USO31, CS, Futura 75, Eletta Campana, Carmaleonte, Felina 32, Santhica, and Ferimon) cultivated in Italy to be used for livestock bedding. The samples were hemp shives, obtained from hemp hurds ground to 8 mm. The results showed an average of 7.78%, 251.9%, and 50.0% for moisture, water absorption, and ammonia absorption, respectively. Moisture and water absorption were similar among varieties. A significant difference between varieties was found for the ammonia absorption, varying from 45.0 to 55.5% for the Fibranova and Ferimon, respectively. In conclusion, hemp shives have good physical characteristics, similar to other commercial bedding materials (i.e., wood shavings) but other parameters and on-farm trials will be required to make a full assessment of hemp. ABSTRACT: Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) hurds, the inner bark of the stem, are a poorly appreciated part of the plant that typically represents waste. The aim of this experiment was to describe the physical characteristics, including moisture (M), water absorption (WA), and ammonia absorption (AA), of 10 hemp varieties (Fibranova, Codimono, USO31, CS, Futura 75, Eletta Campana, Carmaleonte, Felina 32, Santhica, and Ferimon) cultivated in Italy. Samples of hemp hurds were ground to 8 mm obtaining hemp shives. Values of M, WA, and AA were determined following the official procedures. The results showed an average of 7.78%, 251.9%, and 50.0% for M, WA, and AA, respectively. Data of M and WA were similar among varieties, whereas a significant difference was found for the AA, varying from 45.0 to 55.5% for the Fibranova and Ferimon varieties, respectively. In conclusion, hemp shives have good physical characteristics, similar to other commercial bedding materials (i.e., wood shavings) but other parameters and on-farm trials will be required to make a full assessment of hemp.