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Cottonseed Hull Based Diets for Calves and Heifers
Introduction
Proper feeding and management of dairy calves and heifers will ensure that heifers are large enough to breed at an age that allows them to enter the milking string when needed. At NC State University, we have developed several complete feeds, including a calf starter; a self-fed total mixed ration (TMR) for 2 to 6 month old heifers; and a self-fed TMR for yearling heifers. The key ingredient in these rations is cottonseed hulls (CSH) that serve as the primary source of fiber. These rations have supported excellent growth and health while reducing labor expenses. Because cottonseed hulls are high in fiber, and low in energy, the cottonseed hull based TMR's can be self-fed, with ad libitum intake providing appropriate energy requirements.
Nutrient Composition of Cottonseed Hulls
The 2001 NRC lists the nutrient value of cottonseed hulls as 6.2% crude protein, 34.3% TDN and 64.9% ADF. Cottonseed hulls are an excellent source of "effective" fiber and can have the associative effect of increasing dry matter intake. As a byproduct of the cotton industry, hulls are normally available in the market, especially in the Southeast, and are easily transported and handled in bulk, but are not easily handled by auger systems.
Evaluation of a Calf Starter with 15% Cottonseed Hulls:
The development of a functional rumen is related to the intake of solid feed. A goal of conventional calf feeding programs is for the calf to increase intake of calf starter with age. The calf should be consuming enough starter at weaning to easily transition off of liquid feed. The starter should also stimulate rumen development. As part of a recent research study (S.R. Hill, NCSU Masters Degree Thesis), a calf starter was formulated that contained 15% cottonseed hulls. Calves received experimental treatments from birth through 63 days of age. The effects of feeding this starter on starter intake, growth, health measures and rumen development were compared to a standard calf starter with no cottonseed hulls. The ingredient composition of the two starters is shown in Table 1 and the nutrient composition is shown in Table 2.
It is important to formulate calf starter diets with enough protein. Notice that the cottonseed hull based starter fed in this study contained 18% crude protein. Starters should also contain vitamins, including B vitamins, appropriate mineral levels, and a coccidiostat.
Results from the Calf Starter Study
Results from this study are presented in Table 3. Holstein calves fed the cottonseed hull based calf starter had significantly greater daily intakes of starter dry matter and fiber than calves fed the starter without cottonseed hulls. Calves fed the cottonseed hull based starter also had greater average daily body weight gains and lower fecal scores. Average daily gains were 1.32 and 1.19 pounds per day for calves fed the cottonseed hull based starter and those fed the starter without cottonseed hulls, respectively. Feed efficiency was lower for calves fed the cottonseed hull based starter because they had greater intakes.
Calves fed the cottonseed hull based starter weighed significantly more during weeks 7, 8 and 9 of the trial and had a final average body weight about 10 pounds greater than calves fed starter without cottonseed hulls.
Self-Fed Cottonseed Hull Based TMR for 2 to 6 Month Old Heifers
We have also developed a self-fed TMR for post-weaned 2 to 6 month old heifers that contains 30% cottonseed hulls. This TMR was based on the original work done in this area by Dr. A.H. Rakes at NC State University. The formula for this TMR is presented in Table 4. This TMR can be fed through gravity-flow self-feeders so heifers have the feed available at all times. The level of 30% cottonseed hulls provides an amount of fiber which limits intake due to rumen fill and is low enough in energy content to avoid overfeeding of energy. Therefore with 30% cottonseed hulls and ad libitum intake, the heifer's energy needs for appropriate growth are met.
Before the weaned calves are removed from their individual hutch or pen, they are gradually changed over a period of about a week from the calf starter to the heifer TMR. Calves are then moved into a small group lot where they have access to a gravity flow self-feeder for ad libitum access to the ration until about 6 months of age. Bloat or other digestive problems have not been noted. Nutrient intake is consistent and similar for all heifers in a group. The heifers are fed this TMR through a self-feeder and grow very well, while labor costs have decreased. As calves reach 6 months of age, they should be offered hay in addition to the TMR, or the amount of cottonseed hulls in the TMR must be increased to avoid too much weight gain.
Intake and Growth of Heifers fed a Cottonseed Hull Based TMR compared with Hay and Grain Fed Separately
We conducted a study to compare the performance of 2 to 6 month old heifers fed a TMR containing 30% cottonseed hulls with heifers fed hay and grain separately. Both diets were formulated to contain 16% crude protein and 21.5% acid detergent fiber (ADF). The amount of grain offered in the hay and grain treatment diet was limited to a maximum based on the amount of grain consumed by calves fed the cottonseed hull based TMR treatment. Calves fed hay and grain separately tended to consume less grain even though it was available. The chopped grass hay in the hay and grain diet was offered free-choice. Feed intake on an as-fed basis; average daily gain; and feed efficiency are presented in Table 5. Feed efficiency was greater for calves fed the hay and grain separately. However, heifers fed the cottonseed hull based TMR had greater intakes and average daily gains than heifers fed the hay and grain diet.
Advantages of Feeding a Self-fed Cottonseed Hull Based TMR to Heifers
At the Piedmont Research Station, we have observed several advantages to using a TMR that contains 30% cottonseed hulls for post-weaned 2 to 6 month old heifers including:
Consistent nutrition: This blended TMR is formulated for the correct nutrient balance and is always available to the heifers.
Competition among heifers is minimized: Since the feed is always available, the problem with boss heifers is minimized and each heifer can consume what she needs.
Uniform heifer growth: Nutrient intake is consistent. Feeding this TMR post-weaning helps to reduce the "growth slump" that often occurs when heifers are placed in a group feeding situation following weaning.
Average Daily Body Weight Gains: Heifers fed this TMR normally gain about 2 pounds per day. The level of cottonseed hulls in the diet can be adjusted to maintain the desired rate of gain.
Labor savings: This TMR is mixed about once per week and placed in the covered gravity-flow self-feeder. This eliminates having to mix and deliver feed to the heifers every day which saves a large amount of labor.
Development of a Cottonseed Hull Based TMR for Yearling Heifers
We have also developed a cottonseed hull based TMR for yearling dairy heifers. Examples of two TMR formulas that can provide excellent results are shown in Table 6. Formula 1 contains dried brewers grains while Formula 2 contains soybean meal.
Notice that cottonseed hulls comprise 75% of these diets. Heifers fed these TMR’s should average about two pounds of daily body weight gain. In addition, because of the increased dry matter intake associated with feeding cottonseed hulls, ration crude protein levels in these TMR’s for yearling heifers have been reduced to about 9% without affecting desired growth rates.
Since these rations in Table 6 contain 75% cottonseed hulls, they are very bulky and will not flow readily though conventional gravity-flow feeders. However, they can still be self-fed to heifers through a covered feeder where the heifers have free-choice access to the TMR. Supplemental pasture and/or hay for these yearling heifers is recommended.
Cottonseed Hull Based TMR for 6 to 12 Month Old Heifers
High cottonseed hull based diets have not yet been developed for this age group. This is a period where the amount of cottonseed hulls needs to be transitional from 30% up to 75% of the ration so that ad libitum intake of the TMR provides proper amounts of energy.
Summary
The key ingredient in these diets is cottonseed hulls that are high in fiber, and low in energy. The cottonseed hull based TMR's can be self-fed, with ad libitum intake providing appropriate energy requirements. In our studies, a calf starter with 15% cottonseed hulls increased intake and average daily gains in preweaned calves. We also found that a self-fed TMR that contains 30% cottonseed hulls provides consistent nutrition and growth for 2 to 6 month old heifers while reducing labor expenses. In addition, excellent growth rates in yearling heifers have been obtained by feeding rations containing 75% cottonseed hulls. Consider including cottonseed hull based TMR's in your calf and heifer feeding management program.
Table 1. Ingredient Composition of Calf Starter Diets (% of diet DM)
Ingredient
|
Starter with CSH
|
Starter without CSH
|
Cottonseed hulls
|
15.0
|
0
|
Corn grain, ground
|
54.6
|
64.2
|
Soybean meal - 48%
|
20.4
|
24.1
|
Soybean hulls
|
4.4
|
5.1
|
Dried cane molasses
|
3.4
|
4.1
|
Salt
|
0.47
|
0.56
|
Dicalcium phosphate
|
0.61
|
0.73
|
Calcitic limestone
|
1.0
|
1.2
|
Vitamin-TM Premix
|
0.048
|
0.057
|
Table 2. Nutrient Composition of Calf Starter Diets
Starter with CSH
|
Starter without CSH
| |
Dry matter (DM), %
|
90
|
90
|
Crude protein (CP), %
|
18
|
21
|
Acid-detergent fiber (ADF), %
|
15
|
6
|
Table 3. Calf Starter Intake, ADG, Feed Efficiency and Fecal Scores
Starter with CSH
|
Starter without CSH
|
P <
| |
Daily DM intake, lb.
|
1.90
|
1.65
|
0.01
|
Daily CP intake, lb.
|
0.375
|
0.375
|
0.70
|
Daily ADF intake, lb.
|
0.265
|
0.088
|
0.01
|
ADG, lb.
|
1.32
|
1.19
|
0.02
|
Feed Efficiency*
|
0.65
|
0.71
|
0.02
|
Fecal Score**
|
1.25
|
1.34
|
0.03
|
* ADG/DM intake
** Based on a 1 to 5 score where 1= normal
| |||
Table 4. Self-Fed TMR for Post-Weaned Heifers 2 to 6 Months of Age
Nutrient analysis on a dry matter basis: 16% crude protein; 76% TDN; .66% calcium; .42% phosphorous; Ca:P ratio 1.6:1
| |
Ingredient
|
Pounds per Ton
|
Ground corn grain
|
986
|
Cottonseed hulls
|
600
|
Soybean meal - 48%
|
369
|
Calcitic limestone
|
18
|
Tricalcium phosphate
|
10
|
Plain white salt
|
10
|
Bovatec® or Rumensin®
|
*
|
Vitamin- trace mineral premix
|
*
|
* = Add according to manufacturers directions
| |
TMR with 30% CSH
|
Hay and Grain Fed Separately
|
P <
| |
Feed intake, lbs.*
|
11.0
|
7.9
|
.03
|
Grain intake, lbs.**
|
7.6
|
6.2
|
.17
|
ADG, lbs.
|
2.44
|
2.15
|
.05
|
Feed Efficiency***
|
0.24
|
0.28
|
.02
|
*Average daily intake of the TMR or hay and grain diet on an as-fed basis
** Average daily intake of the grain portion of the diet on an as-fed basis
***ADG/Feed Intake
| |||
Ingredient
|
Pounds Per Ton
| |
Formula 1
|
Formula 2
| |
Cottonseed hulls
|
1500
|
1500
|
Corn grain, ground
|
98
|
325
|
Soybean meal - 48%
|
0
|
150
|
Dried brewers grains
|
380
|
0
|
Dicalcium phosphate
|
11
|
14
|
Plain white salt
|
7
|
7
|
Calcitic limestone
|
4
|
4
|
Vitamin - TM Premix
|
*
|
*
|
Rumensin® or Bovatec®
|
*
|
*
|
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