If you are raising cattle, you may want to consider feeding your cattle with cottonseed. This feed contains many benefits for cattle. It is low in cost, has a high energy content, and contains fiber and undegradable protein. These benefits make it a great choice for feeding cattle. However, there are several things you should keep in mind before deciding on cottonseed.
Contents
Low cost
Increasing the amount of low cost cottonseed in a cattle diet can improve its protein and energy content. However, it should be noted that the high fat content of cottonseed limits its feeding level. While the high fat contributes to the energy content, the excess can interfere with rumen function. Cattle should receive no more than 6 to 8 pounds of whole cottonseed per head of livestock per day.
Compared to other feed ingredients, whole cottonseed contains a higher protein, fiber, and energy content. This makes it an excellent addition to cattle feed blends. In addition, it can be processed into cottonseed meal, a byproduct of the cottonseed oil extraction process. Combined with other ingredients with lower protein and energy content, cottonseed meal will provide your cattle with a balanced, nutrient-dense diet.
High energy
High energy cottonseed for cattle is an excellent source of protein and energy for cattle. Most people feed it on the ground, but many also use feed troughs. The benefit of whole cottonseed is that it does not need to be processed before feeding. However, it should be mixed with other ingredients in the feed. Larger herds purchase it in bulk, while small-scale producers can simply ask their feed dealer to include it in the pre-mix. A truckload of cottonseed is enough for about 100 cows for a hundred days.
Whole cottonseed has high protein, fiber, and energy in the form of fat. It is the only protein supplement in the market that offers a combination of these important nutrients. This makes it especially beneficial for high-producing, early lactation dairy cows in a negative energy balance.
Fiber
Whole cottonseed is an ideal feed for cattle, since it contains a high concentration of energy, protein, and fiber. It also increases the amount of butterfat in milk. It is also well tolerated in cattle, and dairy producers throughout the United States recognize it as one of the best premium feeds. Cattle feedstuffs are often formulated to include cottonseed hulls, which are a by-product of the cotton industry.
Cattle nutritional programs are often focused on protein and energy, but fiber is just as important. The type of fiber that you feed your cattle has a significant effect on their health and productivity. Fiber is typically coarse and less dense than other components of feedstuffs, so its content is important in maintaining rumen health.
Undegradable protein
Undegradable protein (URP) in cattle feed is the remaining portion of crude protein that remains available for breakdown in the lower digestive system. Corn grain, blood meal, and distiller’s grains all have higher RUP content than cottonseed, while soybean meal and corn gluten meal contain less RUP than cottonseed. RUP is produced by the turnover of microbes in the rumen. The bacteria break down the protein to amino acids.
The rumen degradability of cottonseed cake has been studied for its potential as a plant protein substitute for dairy cow diets. However, it is important to note that cottonseed contains gossypol, a contaminant that may lead to intoxication in animals and may cause reproductive problems. However, both free and bound gossypol can be detoxified by ruminants. Although this plant protein substitute may not be the best choice for cattle diets, it has shown promising results.
Cost
Cattle are often fed cottonseed for its high fiber content, protein, and energy. Cottonseed meal and whole cottonseed are common components of cattle feed rations. Although the feedstuff has many benefits, there are some management concerns when using cottonseed. The cost of cottonseed meal and whole cottonseed is roughly $300-$335 per ton.
Whole cotton seed has a triple-nutrient composition, delivering the maximum amounts of protein, fat, and effective fiber. This makes whole cottonseed an excellent choice for cows, particularly early lactation dairy cows that are in a negative energy balance.
Availability
Whole cottonseed is a highly valuable supplemental feed for beef cattle. It helps increase milk output, improve milkfat test, and maintain cow condition. However, its effectiveness depends on other components of the diet. A cow’s reaction to cottonseed depends on the ratio of fatty acids present in the feed. Providing the right ratio can help achieve benchmarks in milk and increase milk yield. In addition, whole cottonseed is more economical than conventional dietary supplements.
Whole cottonseed is one of the most common feeds for cattle, and it contains high levels of protein, fiber, and energy. This feed is commonly used in dairy and beef rations. While the use of cottonseed is beneficial for cattle producers, there are some potential risks and management issues associated with this feed. Whole cottonseed is currently sold for $305 per ton. Cottonseed meal is available for $300-$335 per ton.
Safety
While there are no known health risks of feeding cottonseed to cattle, there are some issues that should be addressed to ensure its safety. First, it should not be used in breeding males as it can cause infertility. If you must use cottonseed for breeding, make sure to dilute it with other feed. Second, you should know the risks associated with aflatoxins, a fungus that grows on seeds.
While gossypol in cottonseed is harmless for ruminants with healthy rumen microbial populations, excessive amounts can affect animal performance. Third, the dietary concentration of gossypol in cattle should be limited to 1,000 parts per million (ppm), because higher concentrations may lead to anaemia, poor growth, and decreased milk production.
