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Whole cottonseed is a triple-nutrient1 ration option with the research findings to prove it. Follow the links below to find out how we support our claims about how we support your herd.
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As a triple-nutrient feedstuff, WCS may reduce the need for traditional roughages as well as additional protein and fat supplementation in feedlot diets. |
Cranston, J.J., et al. (2006). Effects of feeding whole cottonseed and cottonseed products on performance and carcass characteristics of finishing beef cattle. J.Anim. Sci. 84(8):2186–2199. doi:10.2527/jas.2005-669. |
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Corn is relatively low in protein and high in starch, which can affect forage utilization negatively, especially in diets based on lower-quality forages. |
Hoppe, K., Carlson, Z., Tobin, C., (2023). “Feeding Corn to Beef Cattle.” North Dakota State University Extension. |
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Cotton Gin Trash is a low-energy, low-protein source of physically effective fiber that can be a more economical option for producers compared to traditional roughages. |
Meyer, R.O. (2007). Cotton gin trash: Alternative roughage feed for beef cattle. This document is AN177, one of a series of the Animal Science Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu. |
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Cottonseed hulls are low in protein (3.5 percent), but equal in energy to late cut grass hay. Cottonseed hulls should be fed with 2 to 3 pounds of 30 percent to 40 percent all-natural protein supplement and mineral. |
LeValley, R.B., et al. (2020). Alternative feeds for cattle during drought. Colorado State University Extension. https://extension.colostate.edu/docs/pubs/livestk/01626.pdf. |
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Fiber digestion was not affected by whole cottonseed feeding. |
Horner, J.L., et al. (1988). Effects of niacin and whole cottonseed on ruminal fermentation, protein degradability, and nutrient digestibility. J. Dairy Sci. Vol. 71, no. 5, pp. 1239–1247., doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(88)79679-4. |
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Fiber supports rumen function and digestive health. |
Parish, J. (2022) Fiber in beef cattle diets. Mississippi State University Extension website. https://extension.msstate.edu/sites/default/files/publications/publications/P2489_web.pdf. |
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Gossypol toxicity may be one of the most well-known objections to feeding WCS. While this still should be taken into consideration, Upland varieties of cotton contain much less gossypol than other varieties and account for the vast majority of cotton produced in the U.S. |
https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/beef/by-product-feeds-for-alabama-beef-cattle/ |
Mullenix, K. and Rankins, D.L. (2018). Byproduct feeds for Alabama beef cattle. Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities. www.aces.edu/blog/topics/-beef/by-product-feeds-for-alabama-beef-cattle/. |
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Low- to medium-quality hay is often used as the primary roughage in finishing diets, but it can get expensive. |
Warner, A.L., et al. (2020). Effects of utilizing cotton byproducts in a finishing diet on beef cattle performance, carcass traits, fecal characteristics, and plasma metabolites. Am. Soc. of Anim. Sci. Vol. 98, issue 2, doi:10.1093/jas/skaa038. |
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Protein supports muscle growth, animal development and lactation |
Parish, J. (2009). Protein requirements of beef cattle. Mississippi State University Extension. https://extension.msstate.edu/sites/default/files/topic-files/cattle-business-mississippi-articles/cattle-business-mississippi-articles-landing-page/mca_apr2009.pdf |
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The concentrated nutrition of whole cottonseed on a dry matter basis is 23% crude protein, 20% crude fat, 24% crude fiber. |
National Research Council (2001). Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle: Seventh Revised Edition, 2001. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/9825. |
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The general rule of thumb is to feed whole cottonseed at a half-percent of a cow’s weight. |
Jacobs, L., Mullenix, K., & Brown, S. (2019). “Whole cottonseed use in beef cattle diets.” Alabama Cooperative Extension System. https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/beef/whole-cottonseed-use-in-beef-cattle-diets/. |
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The most effective amount of WCS in a ration for beef cattle is between 15-20% of the total ration. |
http://media.clemson.edu/public/extension/beef_cattle/bc_3002.pdf |
Cross, D.L. (1998). Feeding whole cottonseed to cattle. Clemson Cooperative Extension. https://media.clemson.edu/public/extension/beef_cattle/bc_3002.pdf. |
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Whole cottonseed has a unique triple-nutrient composition containing protein, available fat and effective fiber. |
STUDY: Survey of management practices used for the highest producing DHI herds in the United States. |
Kellogg, D.W., Pennington, J.A., Johnson, Z.B. and Panivivat, R. (2001). Survey of management practices used for the highest producing DHI herds in the United States. J. Dairy. Sci. Vol. 84, Supplement, E120– E127. doi:10.3168/-jds.S0022-0302(01)70206–8. |
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Whole cottonseed is an excellent supplement to poor quality grass hay for dry and lactating cows because it supplies both energy and protein in a single feed ingredient. |
Stewart, L. and Rossi, J. (2010). Using cotton byproducts in beef cattle diets. Bulletin 1311. The University of Georgia and Ft. Valley State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and counties of the state cooperating. http://cottonpickin.tamu.edu/General%20Production/Georgia%20Cotton%20Byproducts%20for%20Beef%20Cattle%20B%201311_2.pdf. |
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Whole cottonseed is highly digestible and does not interfere with forage digestion. |
STUDY: Digestibility and Effects of Whole Cottonseed Fed to Lactating Cows |
Smith, N.E., Collar, L.S., Bath, D.L., Dunkley, W.L., Franke, A.A. (1981). Digestibility and effects of whole cottonseed fed to lactating cows. J. Dairy. Sci. Vol. 64, no. 11, pp. 2209-2215., doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(81)82831-7. |
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Whole cottonseed’s fat content helps improve body condition, which can lead to better reproductive performance. |
WEB ARTICLE: Added Fat in the Ration of Beef Cows to Enhance Reproduction |
Comerford, J.W. (2014). Added fat in the ration of beef cows to enhance reproduction. Pennsylvania State University. https://extension.psu.edu/added-fat-in-the-ration-of-beef-cows-to-enhance-reproduction. |
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Global adoption of ultra-low gossypol cottonseed, with more efficient and expanded usage of its protein, has the potential to significantly improve nutrition security and boost farmers’ income without requiring additional inputs or acreage under cultivation, thus making cotton farming more sustainable. |
Rathore, Keerti S., Devendra Pandeya, LeAnne M. Campbell, Thomas C. Wedegaertner, Lorraine Puckhaber, Robert D. Stipanovic, J. Scott Thenell, Steve Hague, and Kater Hake. (2020). Ultra-Low Gossypol Cottonseed: Selective Gene Silencing Opens Up a Vast Resource of Plant-Based Protein to Improve Human Nutrition. Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences 39, no. 1: 1–29. https://doi.org/10.1080/07352689.2020.1724433. |
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Whole cottonseed is an excellent feed and should be used extensively whenever practical. It is an excellent source of protein (20%) crude fiber (22%) and TDN (87%). |
PDF: Feeding Whole Cottonseed to Dairy Cows and Replacements |
Ely, L. O., & Guthrie, L. D. (2012). Feeding whole cottonseed to dairy cows and replacements. University of Georgia Extension. https://secure.caes.uga.edu/extension/publications/files/pdf/SB%2059_2.PDF |
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Increasing dietary fat increases dietary energy density and feeding whole cottonseed (WCS) is commonly a cost-effective strategy to increase dietary fat in addition to providing protein and effective fiber. |
Pierce, R. B., Adeniji, Y. A., Bomberger, R., Goodall, S. R., &Harvatine, K. J. (2024). “Effect of feeding increasing levels of whole cottonseed on milk and milk components, milk fatty acid profile, and total-tract digestibility in lactating dairy cows.” Journal of Dairy Science. 107(5):2916–2929.doi: 10.3168/jds.2023-23944. |
References
1 Kellogg, D.W., Pennington, J.A., Johnson, Z.B. and Panivivat, R. (2001). Survey of management practices used for the highest producing DHI herds in the United States. J. Dairy. Sci. Vol. 84, Supplement, E120– E127. doi:10.3168/-jds.S0022-0302(01)70206–8.
