The effect of whole cottonseed on intake, digestion and microbial protein production in cattle fed Rhodes grass hay

Abstract

Whole cottonseed (WCS) has high fibre, lipid and energy content, is moderately high in protein and is relatively palatable, leading to its widespread use as a protein and energy supplement for both beef and dairy cattle. However, as a result of its high lipid content, it can depress the intake and digestion of the forage component of a diet when fed as a supplement (McLennan et al. 1998), presumably through changes in the rumen microbial population (Devendra and Lewis 1974). This in turn could impact on microbial crude protein (MCP) synthesis in the rumen, but there is no information on this in relation to WCS feeding with low quality forages. Our experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of increasing intake of WCS on dietary intake and digestion and on MCP production by cattle.