From Crop to Coop: The Case for Hemp Animal Bedding in Australia

When most people think of industrial hemp, they picture oils, skincare, or maybe some alternative building materials. But out in the paddock, a quiet revolution is happening—and it’s one that farmers, stockhands, and pet owners alike should be watching closely.

Enter: hemp animal bedding. Made from the woody core (or hurd) of the hemp stalk, it’s a natural byproduct of industrial hemp production—and it might just be one of the most underrated tools in modern, sustainable farming.

Why Switch to Hemp Bedding?

• Absorbent AF: Hemp hurd can absorb up to 4x its weight in moisture. This makes for drier, cleaner animal stalls and coops—which means less mucking out and less risk of hoof rot, respiratory issues, or bacterial infections.
• Odour Control: Hemp naturally suppresses ammonia smells better than straw or sawdust.
• Low Dust: For animals with sensitive lungs (or farmers who don’t want a sinus full of sawdust), hemp is a game changer.
• Longer-Lasting: You change it less often, saving time, money and effort.

Who’s It For?

• Hobby farmers and backyard chook lovers looking for low-maintenance, high-performing bedding.
• Sheep and cattle stations wanting to improve hygiene in birthing pens or intensive animal management.
• Equine centres and stables where hoof health and hygiene are everything.
• Pet owners who want an eco-alternative to wood shavings.

Aussie-Grown. Farmer-Approved.

At Margaret River Hemp Co., we’ve been working on developing Australian-grown, processed and bagged hemp bedding—and after years of trial and feedback, it’s finally landed in-store at our Margaret River HQ.

This stuff doesn’t just tick boxes for performance—it supports local farmers, reduces waste, and builds out a regenerative, regional supply chain. No imports. No greenwashing. Just good, honest hemp.

Want to try it out? Swing by our Margaret River store, or shoot us a message to learn more about stocking hemp bedding for your farm, co-op or pet store (you can pick up some pet bedding from our Margaret River Store - 5.5kg for $39).

Let’s make farming cleaner, simpler, and a whole lot greener. 🌾