129 Case Study: Passage Dynamics of Whole Cottonseed in Beef Cattle

Abstract Whole cottonseed (WCS) has long been a viable supplement in southern beef production systems, but new cultivars and ginning innovations have renewed interest its use. Ad libitum supplementation of WCS, however, leads to increased fat intake, potentially resulting reduced fiber digestibility. However, gestating lactating cows observed adequate or optimum performance under scenarios as much 3.6 kg∙animal-1∙day-1. It hypothesized that WCS may pass through the gastrointestinal tract without being digested, thereby not interfering with whole diet Thus, our objective was conduct an observational screening cattle offered near ad levels for passage dynamics. In this case study, we sampled (approximately 1,000 head) at farm central Alabama average kg WCS∙animal-1∙day-1. Cattle were divided by age stage across seven pastures varying forage base. Fresh manure samples (n = 22) collected random from herd. Fecal sorted wet sieving recover undigested seed material. Counts conducted determine fractional remaining. Data analyzed using SAS v. 9.4. Across samples, recovered approximately normally distributed (W 0.83) mean 3.3 per sample range 2 76. Fractional 0.92) 31.9 parts 0 to4. On average, accounted 0.34 g sample, 5.0% DM recovered. While caution should be used broad interpretation these results, there is sufficient evidence suggest high decreased digestive efficiency (evidenced manure). These observations serve basis further investigation designed experiments evaluate digestion