Cottonseed Meal — Livestock Feed Analysis
Cottonseed meal provides 41% crude protein and 75% TDN, serving as an alternative to soybean meal in livestock diets. Cottonseed meal contains gossypol, a naturally occurring toxin that limits its use in monogastric animals (swine and poultry) and young ruminants. Mature cattle and sheep can detoxify gossypol in the rumen and safely consume cottonseed meal at recommended levels. Cottonseed meal has a slower rate of ruminal protein degradation than soybean meal, providing more bypass protein to the small intestine. This makes it particularly useful in dairy cow diets where maximizing metabolizable protein is important. Cottonseed meal should not be fed to breeding bulls or young calves, and it should comprise no more than 15% of the total diet for mature cattle. The meal is widely available in cotton-producing regions and is often price-competitive with soybean meal.
Which Animals Can Cottonseed Meal Feed?
The table below shows how Cottonseed Meal performs as a sole feed source for each of the 20 livestock species in our database. At 41% crude protein and 75% TDN, this feed meets the protein requirement for animals needing up to 41% CP and the energy requirement for animals needing up to 75% TDN. In practice, feeds are rarely used as the sole source; this analysis helps determine where cottonseed meal fits in a mixed ration.
| Animal | Needs CP | Needs TDN | As-Fed/Day | CP Met? | TDN Met? | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beef Cow | 7% | 52% | 26.4 lbs | Yes | Yes | $150.33 |
| Dairy Cow | 16% | 70% | 53.9 lbs | Yes | Yes | $306.92 |
| Horse | 10% | 55% | 24.2 lbs | Yes | Yes | $137.80 |
| Meat Goat | 10% | 55% | 5.8 lbs | Yes | Yes | $32.88 |
| Dairy Goat | 14% | 65% | 6.6 lbs | Yes | Yes | $37.58 |
| Sheep | 10% | 55% | 5.8 lbs | Yes | Yes | $32.88 |
| Pig (Sow/Boar) | 14% | 75% | 13.2 lbs | Yes | Yes | $75.16 |
| Pig (Grower/Finisher) | 16% | 80% | 8.2 lbs | Yes | No | $46.98 |
| Chicken (Layer) | 16% | 70% | 0.2 lbs | Yes | Yes | $1.25 |
| Chicken (Broiler) | 20% | 78% | 0.3 lbs | Yes | No | $1.88 |
| Turkey | 22% | 75% | 1.0 lbs | Yes | Yes | $5.48 |
| Duck | 16% | 70% | 0.3 lbs | Yes | Yes | $1.97 |
| Rabbit | 16% | 65% | 0.3 lbs | Yes | Yes | $1.75 |
| Llama | 10% | 55% | 6.9 lbs | Yes | Yes | $39.46 |
| Alpaca | 10% | 55% | 3.0 lbs | Yes | Yes | $16.91 |
| Donkey | 8% | 50% | 8.2 lbs | Yes | Yes | $46.98 |
| Bison | 7% | 52% | 39.6 lbs | Yes | Yes | $225.49 |
| Elk | 12% | 60% | 22.0 lbs | Yes | Yes | $125.27 |
| White-tailed Deer | 12% | 60% | 5.5 lbs | Yes | Yes | $31.32 |
| Miniature Horse | 10% | 55% | 6.6 lbs | Yes | Yes | $37.58 |
Cost Comparison with Similar Feeds
Selecting the most cost-effective feed requires comparing both the as-fed price and the price per ton of dry matter. The table below compares Cottonseed Meal with other feeds in the protein-supplement category and common reference feeds. The cost per ton of dry matter accounts for moisture content, providing a fair comparison between feeds with different moisture levels.
| Feed | DM % | CP % | TDN % | $/Ton | $/Ton DM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grass Hay | 88% | 8% | 52% | $150 | $170 |
| Alfalfa Hay | 90% | 18% | 58% | $250 | $278 |
| Whole Corn | 88% | 9% | 88% | $220 | $250 |
| Soybean Meal | 90% | 44% | 84% | $450 | $500 |
| Cottonseed Meal | 91% | 41% | 75% | $380 | $418 |
| Canola Meal | 90% | 36% | 74% | $350 | $389 |
Feeding Guidelines for Cottonseed Meal
When incorporating cottonseed meal into a livestock feeding program, consider the following nutritional characteristics. With a dry matter content of 91%, each pound of as-fed cottonseed meal provides 0.91 lbs of actual dry matter. The crude protein content of 41% means that each pound of dry matter delivers 6.6 grams of crude protein. The TDN content of 75% indicates the proportion of the feed that is digestible and available for energy.
The cost of cottonseed meal at $380 per ton translates to $0.190 per pound as-fed or $0.209 per pound of dry matter. When evaluating whether to use this feed, compare the cost per unit of the nutrient you are trying to supply. If you need protein, calculate the cost per pound of crude protein. If you need energy, calculate the cost per unit of TDN. The most economical feed choice depends on which nutrient is the limiting factor in your ration and the relative prices of available feeds in your local market.
Storage requirements vary by feed type and moisture content. Feeds with less than 15% moisture (most dry hays and grains) can be stored in open-sided barns or covered stacks for months to years without significant nutrient loss. Feeds with higher moisture content require either airtight storage (silage, haylage) or must be consumed within days of delivery (wet brewers grains, wet distillers grains). Proper storage prevents mold growth, mycotoxin contamination, and dry matter losses that can significantly increase the effective cost per unit of nutrition delivered to the animal.
Always introduce new feeds gradually over a period of 7-14 days, increasing the proportion of the new feed while decreasing the old feed by equal amounts each day. Sudden dietary changes disrupt the microbial population in the rumen (for ruminants) or the hindgut (for horses), potentially causing digestive disturbances ranging from mild loose stools to life-threatening acidosis or colic. This gradual transition is especially important when switching between forages and concentrates, or when introducing high-starch feeds like corn or barley to animals previously consuming an all-forage diet.
Other Feed Types
Compare nutritional profiles and costs for all livestock feeds in our database.