Protein Meals & Alternative Proteins
Cottonseed Meal
Extracted cottonseed cake, 40–45% CP. Popular ruminant protein in cotton-growing regions.
Applications by species
dairybeefsheep goatstilapia
Top global export origins
India China Pakistan United States Brazil
FeedMatch Group's RFQ Builder benchmarks landed costs across origins for your discharge port and shipment window.
Certifications & quality standards
GMP+
Free gossypol limits monogastric use; low-gossypol cultivars expanding availability for swine/aqua.
Buyer considerations
Advantages
- Cost-effective ruminant protein
- Well-suited to tropical dairy systems
Constraints & risks
- Gossypol toxicity for monogastrics
- Variable quality across origins
Frequently asked questions
What is safe gossypol level for dairy cows?
Free gossypol below 500 mg/kg total diet DM is generally safe for lactating cows; keep bulls and calves under 200 mg/kg.
Is cottonseed meal suitable for tilapia?
Yes, up to ~20% inclusion when free gossypol is below 100 ppm and iron supplementation is adequate.
How is cottonseed meal priced?
Priced regionally on cotton crush margins. RFQ Builder benchmarks CIF across India, Pakistan and US Gulf origins.