The cotton seed cake is the dry and chopped form of the cotton. It is used as the basic ingredient in the cattle feed. The moisture content of the cotton is analyzed before being made into the product.
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Whole cottonseed
Whole cottonseed is a high fiber and energy feed. It can be used as a protein supplement for beef cattle.
Aside from being a great source of protein, whole cottonseed is also a good source of phosphorus, calcium, and vitamin E. These nutrients are needed by cattle to maintain proper body condition.
While cottonseed is an excellent source of nutrition, it is important to remember that it contains fat. As such, it should be fed in moderation. Cattle should not be fed more than 2.9 kg of dry matter per day.
The fat content of whole cottonseed can cause diarrhea in animals. For this reason, cattle should be fed adequate mineral supplements. Also, excessive fat can negatively affect rumen function.
Because of the high oil/fat content of whole cottonseed, it is important to monitor cattle’s body weight. If a cow’s diet has too much fat, it can hinder the intake of forage. Therefore, a cow’s weight should be allowed to stabilize for a period of 6-7 weeks.
Dry-extruded cottonseed cake
If you are looking for a protein substitute for your dairy cows, cottonseed cake may be the answer. Besides being a source of protein, it contains a good amount of fiber and fat. It also has minerals.
The nutritional value of cottonseed cakes can vary significantly depending on the methods used to process the seed. Some processes remove the hull, while others do not. Other factors that impact the nutritional value of the cake are its fiber content and the proportion of husk and lint in the seed.
In addition to its fiber content, whole cottonseed has higher concentrations of energy than other feeds. This is especially appealing to high lactation dairy cows in a negative energy balance.
Unlike other proteins, the nutritional profile of whole cottonseed is unique. Whole cottonseed is the only protein supplement that has the highest concentrations of both crude fiber and energy.
A cottonseed cake has the potential to replace soybean meal or wheat bran as a plant protein substitute in dairy cow diets. However, it is important to note that the nutritional value of the cake depends on the degree of decortication and the methods of oil extraction.
Dried and chopped D. bipinnata
Desmostachya bipinnata is a tall grass that produces a tussock in dry sandy soils. It can also survive in more moisture tolerant zones. In addition to its grassy appearance, it’s also known for its ability to serve as a mild stimulant.
It can be considered a native plant, but it’s been shown to be adaptive to the land and improve the soil in some instances. Some studies have shown that its integration with agroforestry species can result in higher quality soils.
The species is commonly found in salt affected wastelands and agricultural land. Although it’s a weed, it has been able to reclaim areas by dispersing by seeds, underground rhizomes and by root slips.
It’s also been shown to be a mild diuretic. It can be used in conjunction with green maize to produce a dry fodder substitute. This is a very useful crop since it can survive on a modest annual rainfall of 54 mm.
It’s no wonder that it’s a popular choice for cattle. However, it’s been found to be a noxious weed in some areas. Agricultural practices such as annual burning, seed contamination and forage crops can all be potential introduction vectors.
Analysis of moisture content
In the early 1900s, cottonseed cake was used as a protein supplement for cattle. The cake was made using a hydraulic high-pressure press and was shipped into northern range country in rail cars. It was also used as a concentrate for dairy animals.
A byproduct of the cotton industry, cottonseed hulls are very palatable and have good crude fiber concentration. However, they are very bulky and require more storage space than other roughage sources. Therefore, if you use them as a primary roughage source in your cattle diets, you should not feed them more than ten to twenty percent of the total diet for growing cattle.
Cottonseed meal is another common alternative for ruminants. In addition to being a protein source, it is also a valuable fertilizer. Although it is used as a partial substitute for soybean meal, its nutritional value depends on several factors.
A key factor in determining the value of a feed is the dry matter content. All feeds should be priced on a dry matter basis.
