animal bedding

Walk into any stable across America and you will smell pine. Wood shavings have been the bedding industry standard for as long as most owners can remember. But what happens as we learn more about equine health science? People start to wonder: Could hemp bedding actually be better than wood shavings?We have seen many facilities make the switch at Dakota Hemp, and once they do, they don’t look back. While wood shavings will always be a traditional choice for horse owners, hemp animal bedding is an effective high-performance option created to solve wood’s problems. Below we take a closer look at how hemp and wood compare, category by category. Criteria 1: Absorbency of Materials (“The Sponge Test”) What does bedding do? It absorbs moisture.Wood Shavings: Pine and cedar are very non-porous. They act as a...

The ground your horse spends most of his time standing and sleeping on can impact everything from his respiratory health to your farrier bill. For years horse owners have turned to straw, peat moss, and pine for horse stall bedding. But what if there was a better option? Enter Hemp Bedding.Dakota Hemp is proud to provide you with high-quality hemp animal bedding, manufactured right here in South Dakota. From horse stalls to chicken coops, read on to learn about why hemp is taking the farm by storm. When you make the switch to hemp bedding, you’re switching to a cleaner, dryer option for your horses (and your wallet). Why Hemp Works So Well: The Science Behind the Plant Planting, growing, and harvesting hemp is a science. To fully understand how remarkable hemp is for animal bedding,...

Have you recently upgraded your animal bedding to hemp? If so, you know it absorbs more moisture and traps odor better than any other product on the market. But where does it come from? How does a 10-foot-tall green plant get broken down into small “shivs” perfect for spreading in your stalls or chicken coops?High-quality hemp bedding isn’t as simple as taking a plant and running over it with a shredder. The fiber must go through a delicate decortication process, and farm owners must understand plant biology in order to harvest the most absorbent portions of the plant. Here at Dakota Hemp, we pride ourselves on being South Dakota grown from seed to sale. Let’s walk through how our world-class hemp bedding is made. Step 1: Planting the Correct Variety It all starts with the seed. Hemp...

If you own livestock, you understand that what goes on the floor of your stalls or coop isn’t just fluffy stuff. Animal bedding plays a critical role in overall health, respiratory function, and operational efficiency. From the competitive horse operation to your backyard chickens or even your bunny hutch—what you choose to use for bedding matters.Years ago, you were stuck with using wood shavings or straw. But times have changed, and Hemp Animal Bedding is king in 2026 if you are a performance-focused farmer. Here at Dakota Hemp, our bedding is grown and processed right here in the Great Plains. We take pride in our simple, yet highly effective bedding that will outlast and outperform wood and straw every time.Animals deserve nothing but the strongest stuff. Hemp bedding is actually created from the “hurd,” which...

For a long time, the conversation around industrial hemp was mostly about the "planet." We talked about soil health, carbon sequestration, and saving the bees. And while those things are incredibly important, any family who has farmed for more than a generation knows the cold, hard truth: If it doesn't make "cents," it can't make sense. A farm is a business, not a hobby. As we navigate the economic landscape of 2026—with its fluctuating commodity prices and rising input costs—farmers are looking for more than just a "green" alternative. They are looking for a competitive edge.At Dakota Hemp, we’ve seen the shift firsthand. The "hemp curiosity" of five years ago has turned into a calculated business move. Here is the breakdown of why industrial hemp is becoming one of the most economically sound decisions...

If you’ve ever walked into your barn at 6:00 AM only to be hit by that sharp, eye-stinging smell of ammonia, you know the "bedding struggle" all too well. We’ve all been there—hauling heavy bags of wood shavings that turn into a soggy mess by noon, or dealing with straw that looks cozy but doesn't actually absorb a thing.It feels like a never-ending cycle of mucking, sneezing through dust clouds, and worrying if the air is actually safe for your animals to breathe. But lately, there’s been a shift. Industrial Hemp is quietly changing the game for those of us who are tired of the dusty status quo. Using Hemp Animal Bedding isn't just a "green" trend; it’s about finally giving our animals (and our lungs) the clean, fresh environment they deserve. 1. The "Botanical...

Hemp pellet bedding is an excellent choice for those seeking a cleaner, eco-friendly alternative. Made from pelleted industrial hemp, this bedding offers comfort, moisture control, and cleanliness for animals of all sizes. Lightweight, long-lasting, and highly absorbent, it is ideal for modern farms, coops, barns, and pet enclosures across the USA.Why Hemp Pellets Are Considered Premium (Pelleted) Hemp Pelleted hemp bedding is more effective than many alternatives due to its renewable, eco-conscious nature and its superior performance, including: High absorbency Low dust Natural odor control Sustainable USA sourcing Biodegradable and compostableThese qualities make Pelleted Industrial Hemp one of the most advanced and sought-after options for animal bedding today.Uses of Hemp Pellet Bedding Hemp pellet bedding is versatile and suitable for various animal environments: Livestock: Horses, cattle, goats, sheepPoultry Coops: Chickens, ducks, turkeysSmall Animals & Pets: Rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters,...