Cottonseed for protein and energy supplementation of high-roughage diets for beef cattle

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Abstract
The use of cottonseed (CS) as an energy and protein supplement to high wheat-straw diets was studied in a digestion and nitrogen balance trial, and as a component in fattening diets in a feeding trial. The proportions of CS studied were 0, 60, 120, 180 and 240 g/kg diet dry matter (DM). DM intake per kg M0·75 was 33, 31, 40, 31 and 29 g, respectively. The digestibility coefficient of organic matter was 415, 463, 417, 441, 350 g/kg DM and of neutral-detergent fibre was 350, 436, 411, 309, 334 g/kg DM. Nitrogen balance was –2·52, 1·1, 5·38, 5·63, 7·60 g/day respectively, for the same order of treatments. The effect of high proportions of CS in the diet in restricting DM intake and reducing its digestibility was evident. The results of the feeding trial were in agreement with those of the digestion trial and indicate the proportion of 120 g CS per kg DM as optimal and maximal.