Description
- Whole cottonseed is widely used as an animal feed, especially for dairy cattle, due to its excellent nutritional profile and high energy content.
Whole cottonseed is a triple-nutrient feed—providing:
-
Energy (high fat content: ~18–20%)
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Protein (~23% crude protein)
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Fiber (~25–30% neutral detergent fiber)
This makes it an ideal “all-in-one” supplement, especially for lactating dairy cows.
Nutritional Composition (approximate per dry matter)
| Component | Value (% DM) |
|---|---|
| Crude Protein | 20–24% |
| Fat (Ether Extract) | 18–20% |
| Fiber (NDF) | 25–30% |
| Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN) | 90–95% |
| Calcium | 0.15–0.20% |
| Phosphorus | 0.6–0.8% |
Types
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Upland whole cottonseed (most common): white fuzz-covered seeds
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Pima cottonseed: higher oil content but more gossypol
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Delinted cottonseed: sometimes used in pelleted feeds
