Alternative cropping and improvement in soil health approaches continue to be on the rise. Hemp has been studied and used as cattle feed in different states of the U.S and other prairie provinces except for Alberta. In 1998, Saskatchewan researchers tested hemp in the chicken meal as ruminant and proved to be a suitable replacement for other ruminant sources. Later, another research conducted by University of Saskatchewan researchers revealed that hemp is a good source of protein as a cattle feed. In Alberta, hemp was tested as an industrial crop in different regions of the province. Hemp can be used as silage.
In previous studies mixing hemp with corn silage, cows had improved weight gains. Hemp is a common crop in the Netherlands as it is an alternative to straw and is low in dust, and is very absorbent. One report in the popular press suggested that dairy cows fed hemp give a little more milk and seem to be healthy (journal of dairy science)., Currently, hemp has not been tested as a forage crop in the province.

Battle River Research team has taken the initiative to cultivate and test hemp varieties as forage alternatives. The Canadian agriculture partnership grant sponsors the project.