Cottonseed - How does it affect the reproductive ability of bulls?

[SWMO]

What effects does cottonseed have on the reproductive system of bulls? 

 

[simtal]

My experience is that you should not feed cottonseed hulls to any breeding cattle.  Now, I know that some will get on this board and say that the level of gossypol is low compared to cottonseed meal.  Well, why take the chance?  Personally, I think beet pulp does alot better job at providing fiber in the diet that cottonseed hulls does anyways.  For steers, however, cottonseed hulls are fine.

 

[yuppiecowboy]

I am not a nutritionist master, but I had difficulty getting replacement heifers to breed and the only thing I can think of is that they were all farmed out as show heifers and all were getting cottonseed in their diets. I sent some awful good genetic pieces to town and the only thing I can think of is the cottonseed.

 

[DL]

Gossypol (from cotton seed) adversely affects spermatogenesis (the ability of the bull to make sperm) and those sperm he does make are more likely to have defects - bottom line - gossypol can decrease fertility. The adverse effects appear to be dose related

 

[chambero]

A whole lot of Texas feeds a whole lot of cottonseed in various product to breeding cattle because of its availability and we don't have large scale reproductive problems.  You get in trouble when you try to develop bulls too fast with any "hot" feeds whether it be cottonseed or corn.

We used to feed very high protein cottonseed cake to our cows.  We'd feed 2-3 lbs per head per day during the winter with no hay - our pastures are stocked low enough the cows graze standing dead grass for their roughage.

 

[AAOK]

For more than 10 years we fed our baby calves, show heifers, cows and bulls a ration containing 20% Cottonseed Hulls. The ration was checked and recommended by the nutritionists with Moorman's (now ADM) feeds.  We have never had a problem breeding "fat" show heifers, or cows.  We also never had, or sold a bull which didn't test good.  Bottom line: NO BREEDING PROBLEMS 

If Beet Pulp were readily available, and the same price as CS hulls, I would probably try Beet Pulp, but cautiously.  I really don't think it would do as good a job.

 

[SWMO]

We've never had any problems with our heifers due to cottonseed in the ration.  I believe that anytime you are pushing a heifer to show you are going to have a potential problem with breeding esp when the weather is warmer or in the case of Missouri (Hot) when during the breeding season.

I was just wanting to hear from the experts (meaning I am too lazy to research) on the actual effects of cottonseed on the sperm.

 

[Chap]

as a merchant of cottonseed and cottonseed products, I would feel very comfortable feeding hulls to breeding animals and would expect no problems.  some Dairies feed hulls at up to 30% of the ration and they are breeding those animals.  Meal and Whole Cottonseed do contain gossypol and that can lead to gossypol toxicity if fed in high concentrations.  Mosty Dairy operations limit whole cottonseed to 5-7lbs/hd/day.  I would, as a precautionary method, limit whole seed or meal in the diets of developing bulls as it can have an effect on fertilty. 

 

[CAB]

Chap, do you know what the price of whole cottonseed is running/ton right now?

 

[Chap]

FOB Bootheel of MO is about $300/ton right now.  WTX is $285, NC is 298, North Alabama is $300 and South GA is $285.  All FOB point of origin.  I can figure delivered if you need to know

 

[CAB]

Chap, if you wouldn't mind, I would appreiate that. I live close to Corning, Ia. Can it go in a regular hopper, or would a guy need a walking floor or belt trl? Thanks Chap. BTW Chap, I had a couple of girls @ ISU the same time as you. Were you AGR?

 

[Chap]

Yes I am.  enterered the house in fall of '02.  Corning, IA would be about $54 on live bottom trailer or $46 on a hopper from MO. Could do either way. so dld prices for april shipment is 354 w/f or 346 hopper. Thanks for the inquiry

 

[SWMO]

Chap, do you know what the price of whole cottonseed is running/ton right now?
[/quote

Short term or long term effect on fertility?

 

[CAB]

Chap, would you get 20 ton on, and would have to take a whole load or could you split half & Half if it were a hopper? Does cottonseed flow well or can it bridge up bad? Do you know any of the Cornig agger's?

 

[SWMO]

"I would, as a precautionary method, limit whole seed or meal in the diets of developing bulls as it can have an effect on fertilty."
Chap,  didn't get the quote separate from the question.

Does cottonseed have a long term or short term effect on fertility in a bull?

 

[old timer]

So, am I alright feeding cottonseed meal cake to cows in a fall calving AI situatuon?  38% protien and 6% fat.

 

[red]

just wanted to  (welcome) Old Timer!

Red

 

[garybob]

So, am I alright feeding cottonseed meal cake to cows in a fall calving AI situatuon?  38% protien and 6% fat.

You're better off to feed 2 to 3 pounds (depending on cow size, weight, body condition, natural fleshing ability, etc) per head, per day, of raw, un-processed, ''wooly'' Whole Cottonseed. You won't see any decrease in fertility in either Bulls or Cows, if they are naturally fertile. I always thought that if a cow ''fell out'', it was genetics, not feed.

What I'm saying is, if they're Cattle bred for fertility and function, they'll still be fertile, no matter what they're fed.

JMO,

GB

 

[old timer]

Why would whole cottonseed be better?  Cake is easier for me to handle.

 

[garybob]

Why would whole cottonseed be better?  Cake is easier for me to handle.

Because the oil content will really help things nutritionally. Just the experience of a Southerner from Fescue Country. Got the idea from Russell Sloan. Worked so well. Then again, I only had 14 cows at the time.

GB