Alternative cattle feeds can be a great way to cut input costs and provide adequate nutrition for your animals. If you’re not sure how to determine the nutritional value of a feed, consult a nutritional consultant who specializes in the use of alternative feeds. Nutrition consultants are invaluable to the cow-calf industry and most cattle feeders employ the services of such professionals. These people understand the ins and outs of alternative feeds and can offer advice on its suitability for livestock.
Contents
Kochia weed
A recent study evaluated the effectiveness of Kochia weed as an alternative cattle feed. The authors reported no differences in growth rate between HD 1 and HD 5, indicating that kochia is a viable alternative feed crop. However, further studies are needed to determine its value in ruminant production systems. Here are some important facts about the plant. For starters, it is not a reliable alternative to corn, oats, and soybeans.
Historically, kochia has been a useful forage crop in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Its high crude protein content is ideal for the fall/winter grazing period. Additionally, it has low oxalates and an acceptable digestibility. Adding kochia to cattle diets could help reduce winter feeding costs and improve the sustainability of beef production. However, the use of kochia forage should not be the only consideration when considering its use in livestock nutrition.
Cottonseed
Research on cottonseed’s nutritional value is being conducted, particularly on the availability of gossypol, a polyphenol that is considered toxic to cattle. These studies have the potential to be of great assistance to livestock producers and nutritionists. Cottonseed meal and whole cottonseed contain different levels of gossypol, and the ratio of the two isomers will differ among the two varieties.
Whole cottonseed is one nutrient-dense alternative to corn. It is rich in protein and ample energy and promotes a healthy digestive system. This makes it a valuable feed in feedlots. Additionally, cotton byproducts such as cottonseed meal and cotton gin trash can also be beneficial for cattle. These byproducts are also economically beneficial to cotton-growing areas. These byproducts are transported nationwide and can provide an alternative source of roughage to cattle.
However, research on cottonseed as an alternative cattle feed has been limited to pasture-fed cattle. Studies have shown that as little as 0.1 percent of the diet, cottonseed is safe for feeding. But the higher concentrations of the substance can result in death in livestock. In addition, it can be costly to ship, but it is effective and can boost the milk production of high-producing cows. If you are interested in feeding cottonseed to your cattle, contact your feed dealer and ask him to include WCS in the pre-mix of your cattle’s food.
Cottonseed meal
Whole cottonseed is a high-quality, nutritious feed for cattle. It is a superior source of protein, fiber, and energy than most other grains. Many dairy producers around the country recognize cottonseed as a premier feed, which is one reason why more than 50% of the cottonseed produced each year is fed to dairy cattle. The high protein, fat, and energy content of cottonseed makes it an excellent choice for mixing with other grains and feed ingredients that are not as high in energy or protein. The result is a balanced diet for your cattle.
In one experiment, cottonseed meal replaced soybean meal without adversely affecting animal performance. The researchers used Brazilian CSM, which has a different chemical makeup than usual CSM. In another experiment, 42 Holstein cows were fed diets with increasing CSM content to replace SBM. The milk yield and feed efficiency were decreased linearly with increasing CSM content. Interestingly, a lower protein diet did not negatively affect the cows’ milk yield.
Cottonseed oil
There are several concerns about using cottonseed as an alternative to conventional beef and dairy feed. First, some research suggests that cottonseed products may contain high levels of gossypol, a compound that is toxic to cattle. These chemicals have been associated with acute clinical signs such as respiratory distress, body weight reduction, anorexia, and weakness. The researchers hope that this information will help producers develop more nutritious alternatives to feed for cattle.
A process called dry extrusion produces cottonseed oil, which contains higher oil content but less protein. Cottonseed oil is referred to as CSC, but there are very limited data on the composition and response of lactating cattle to CSC. The researchers fed three diets to 48 mid-lactation dairy cows over a period of eight weeks to determine the efficacy of each. A sample was taken weekly to determine the composition of the milk, and measurements of MUN and somatic cell count were taken.
