However, grinding or rolling may increase risk of rancidity for raw soybeans. Feeding the fat-containing seed appears to reduce the negative influence of soybean oil on fiber digestion in the rumen. Non-protein nitrogen sources such as urea should not be mixed with raw soybeans but can be mixed into the ration if the soybeans are roasted or extruded. Heat processing of soybeans is becoming more popular as a means to increase rumen escape protein. This feed is available as whole or fuzzy cottonseed and as delinted seed.
Cottonseed combines protein, fiber, and fat into one feed.
Generally, delinted and whole cottonseed are equivalent in supporting milk production. Fat in cottonseed is primarily unsaturated, but is slowly digested and does not decrease rumen digestion as seriously as most unsaturated fats. Adding whole cottonseed to rations typically increases milk fat percentage by 0.2 to 0.3 percent. If large quantities of cottonseed containing high levels of gossypol are fed, gossypol poisoning can occur in cattle. A safe recommendation is 6 to 7 pounds of cottonseed per cow daily.