Cottonseed Meal - Feed Ingredient

Cottonseed meal is a high-protein byproduct obtained after the oil has been extracted from cottonseeds, typically through mechanical pressing or solvent extraction. It is commonly used in livestock and poultry diets as a cost-effective protein source. The meal consists primarily of the remaining cottonseed solids, including protein, fiber, and residual oil.

In equine nutrition, the use of cottonseed meal is limited and approached with caution. While it provides a moderate-to-high protein content (typically 36–41%), it also contains gossypol, a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound that can be toxic to non-ruminant animals, including horses, if consumed in excess. Gossypol can interfere with iron metabolism and cellular function. Some commercial cottonseed meal products are processed to reduce gossypol content, but levels must still be carefully monitored.

Because of these concerns, cottonseed meal is generally not a primary protein source for horses. When used, it is typically included at low levels in a well-balanced ration, ensuring that gossypol exposure remains within safe limits.

The following equine feeds, supplements and products contain Cottonseed Meal as an ingredient.

Feed Name	Brand	ID	Availability	Format	Protein	Fat	ADF	NDF	NSC	DE	Lysine	Calcium	Phosphorus	Magnesium	Potassium	Sodium	Chloride	Iron	Zinc	Copper	Selenium	Biotin	Vitamin E
Bloc Cheval	Mondou	401566		--	20%	0.5%	10%	12.5%	--	1.01 mcal/kg	--	6.5%	1.5%	--	--	5.2%	--	--	--	--	--	--	116 KIU
Cottonseed Meal Brazil Coarse Grind		408872		--	37.9%	1.8%	15.65%	39.47%	8.98%	2.74 mcal/kg	4.34%	0.14%	1.1%	0.52%	0.06%	0.04%	1.49 ppm	190 ppm	1 ppm	20 ppm	69 ppm	0.7 ppm	0.45 KIU
Cottonseed Meal Brazil Fine Grind		408871		--	37.9%	1.8%	15.65%	39.47%	8.98%	2.74 mcal/kg	4.34%	0.14%	1.1%	0.52%	0.06%	0.04%	1.49 ppm	190 ppm	1 ppm	20 ppm	69 ppm	0.7 ppm	0.45 KIU
Cottonseed Meal 42% CP		71659		--	42.34%	3.12%	20.15%	30.56%	7.25%	2.96 mcal/kg	3.97%	0.24%	1.24%	0.66%	1.54%	0.22%	0.11 ppm	176 ppm	63 ppm	12 ppm	0 ppm	0.7 ppm	0 KIU
Horse Block	DuMor	469228		--	18.18%	2.04%	13.63%	25%	--	2.28 mcal/kg	3.75%	1.7%	0.68%	0.4%	--	6.14%	6.93 ppm	0 ppm	147.72 ppm	56.81 ppm	0.45 ppm	1.43 ppm	62.63 KIU
Horseman's Elite Horse/Mare Cubes	Bluebonnet Feeds	430626		Cubes	15.56%	3.33%	26.67%	40%	14.4%	2.64 mcal/kg	5%	1.94%	0.67%	0.33%	1.11%	--	--	--	666.67 ppm	166.67 ppm	0.56 ppm	1.22 ppm	306.2 KIU
KoolSpeed Plus	MAC	1021750	--	Pelleted	15.6%	8.9%	31.9%	39.9%	--	3.03 mcal/kg	5.7%	0.78%	0.33%	--	--	--	--	--	133.3 ppm	33.3 ppm	0.33 ppm	--	122.5 KIU
Legacy 16% Mare & Foal Ration	Co-op	401633		--	17.78%	6.67%	13.9%	17.4%	26.6%	3.46 mcal/kg	5.62%	1.11%	0.67%	--	--	--	--	--	222.22 ppm	72.22 ppm	0.72 ppm	2.45 ppm	428.68 KIU
Opti-Ferm Horse Tub (ClariFly)	Kalmbach Feeds	430406	--	--	13.3%	5.5%	3.4%	10.8%	33%	3.67 mcal/kg	6.67%	1.81%	1.1%	0.33%	2.8%	3.88%	5.7 ppm	--	500 ppm	222.2 ppm	4.9 ppm	--	673.6 KIU
Opti-Ferm Horse Tubs	Kalmbach Feeds	430408	--	--	13.33%	5.56%	3.75%	4.69%	--	3.67 mcal/kg	--	1.56%	1.11%	--	--	3.47%	5.42 ppm	--	500 ppm	222.22 ppm	4.89 ppm	24.5 ppm	673.63 KIU
Opti-Ferm Lix 16% All Stock	Kalmbach Feeds	430410	--	--	17.78%	4.44%	5.56%	10.44%	--	3.56 mcal/kg	--	2.56%	0.56%	0.56%	2.22%	--	--	--	1055.56 ppm	--	8.89 ppm	--	1238.56 KIU
Patriot Quick Performance	ADM Animal Nutrition	401255		--	14.7%	10.5%	28.4%	38.4%	25.3%	3.22 mcal/kg	5.71%	1%	0.53%	--	--	--	--	--	168.4 ppm	52.6 ppm	0.63 ppm	2.3 ppm	278.5 KIU
SafeChoice Special Care	Nutrena	387921		--	15.6%	7.8%	27.8%	44.4%	11.1%	2.92 mcal/kg	6.1%	1.2%	0.8%	--	--	--	--	--	177.8 ppm	55.6 ppm	0.7 ppm	1.1 ppm	551.2 KIU

Feeds, Supplements & Products

Bloc Cheval Balancer (Shur-Gain)

Health

Mineral Balance

Nutrients

Vitamins

Bloc Cheval Balancer is a mineral and vitamin supplement for horses in a block format. It contains molasses to encourage consumption and can be fed free-choice.

Cottonseed Meal Brazil Coarse Grind

Energy

Fiber

Nutrition

Protein

Cottonseed meal is a by-product of cottonseed oil production that provides a good source of fat and protein. It is commonly used in cattle rations.

Energy Sources Starch

Cottonseed Meal Brazil Fine Grind

Energy

Fiber

Nutrition

Protein

Cottonseed meal is a by-product of the extraction of oil from cottonseeds. It is abundant in fats and protein and is a quality feed ingredient found in cattle diets.

Protein

Cottonseed Meal-42% CP

Amino Acid

Fat

Muscle

Protein

Cottonseed meal is a by-product of cottonseed oil production. The meal is what remains following the extraction of the oil. Although high in protein, cottonseed meal is low in the amino acid lysine and not commonly used as a protein source in equine diets.

Protein

Horse Block (DuMor)

Health

Mineral Balance

Nutrition

Protein

DuMor Horse Block is a vitamin, mineral, and protein supplement for horses in a block format. It contains predominantly inorganic trace minerals and is intended to be offered free choice.

Commercial Feeds & Supplements Supplement Vitamin Supplements Inorganic Minerals

Horseman’s Elite Horse/Mare Cubes (Bluebonnet Feeds)

Broodmare

Fiber

Foal

Growth

Horseman's Elite Horse/Mare Cubes from Bluebonnet is a pasture supplement intended for broodmares. It comes in a 3/4" cube format and contains organic minerals.

Commercial Feeds & Supplements Feeds

KoolSpeed Plus (MAC)

Competition Horses

Energy

Nutrition

Performance

KoolSpeed Plus by MAC is a feed intended to minimize incidences and/or severity of gastric ulcers. It is intended to be used in horses undergoing heavy exercise.

Energy Sources Feeds

Legacy 16% Mare & Foal Ration (CO-OP)

Foal

Growth

Lactation

Mare

Legacy 16% Mare & Foal Ration is a higher-protein feed intended for broodmares and growing foals. These horses benefit from higher levels of amino acids in the diet.

Commercial Feeds & Supplements Feeds

Opti-Ferm Horse Tub (ClariFly) (Kalmbach Feeds)

Caloric Energy

Health

Nutrition

Skin + Hair

Opti-Ferm Horse Tub with Clarifly by Kalmbach Feeds is an energy, vitamin and mineral supplement lick. It contains Diflubenzuron, which reduces the emergence of flies from manure.

Commercial Feeds & Supplements Supplement

Opti-Ferm Horse Tubs (Kalmbach Feeds)

Caloric Energy

Flavor

Mineral Balance

Nutrition

Opti-Ferm Horse Tub by Kalmbach Feeds is an energy, vitamin, and mineral supplement lick. It contains added molasses and fat for palatability and 10 mg/lb of added biotin for hoof health.

Commercial Feeds & Supplements Supplement

Opti-Ferm Lix 16% All Stock (Kalmbach Feeds)

Health

Mineral Balance

Nutrition

Vitamins

Opti-Ferm Lix 16% All Stock by Kalmbach Feeds is an energy, vitamin, and mineral supplement tub. It is intended for cattle, sheep, horses, and goats on moderate to high quality forage.

Commercial Feeds & Supplements Supplement

Patriot Quick Performance (ADM Animal Nutrition)

Caloric Energy

Complete Feed

Exercise

Performance

Patriot Quick Performance is a pelleted feed formulated for use when forage supply is limited. It contains 20 - 30% NSC and is intended for mature athletic horses that require additional energy.

Commercial Feeds & Supplements Feeds

SafeChoice Special Care (Nutrena)

Complete Feed

Easy Keeper

Low NSC Feeds

Metabolic Syndrome

SafeChoice Special Care by Nutrena is a controlled starch formula intended for horses with metabolic concerns and easy keepers. It is a corn-free feed that contains a maximum of 7% dietary starch and 3% sugar.

Commercial Feeds & Supplements Feeds