Effect of Whole Cottonseed Amount and Delivery Frequency on the Performance of Gestating and Lactating Beef Cows

Abstract

Whole cottonseed (WCS) is a common byproduct feedstuff in the southeastern United States due to its affordability, high energy, and high protein content. Since developing feeding recommendations in the 1980’s, seed quality characteristics have continued to change. Additionally, beef producers in Alabama utilize WCS in rations at inclusion rates contrary to recommendations and may not offer supplemental feed daily due to labor and management constraints. Therefore, the objective of this thesis was to determine appropriate WCS supplementation level in beef cattle diets and to investigate the effect of delivery frequency on beef cow performance. We found that lactating beef cows fed WCS at or above established recommendations consumed greater nutritive value with no negative measured physiological effects. Furthermore, we found that greater feeding intervals did not have a negative effect of gestating beef cows. Overall, WCS can be fed at infrequent and high inclusion rates to match management strategies.