Source: Cotton Incorporated
Cottonseed prices drop slightly from $242 to $229 per ton year-over-year amid ongoing market uncertainty.
Dairy and beef cattle producers can expect to see an increase in the whole cottonseed supply this crop year. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s November World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE), cotton production is estimated at just under 14.2 million bales, a nearly 18% increase from the drought affected 2023 crop year.
“This year, producers will have 4.3 million tons of whole cottonseed available to incorporate in their feed, roughly 691,000 tons more than last season,” explains Jon Devine, senior economist, Cotton Incorporated. “This crop year’s expanded supply of whole cottonseed is an opportunity for producers to leverage whole cottonseed’s unique blend of fiber, fat and protein to support the health and productivity of dairy and beef herds.”
The Cottonseed Marketplace is a valuable tool for producers looking to connect with whole cottonseed suppliers across the U.S. There is an interactive map that allows users to locate cottonseed merchants and connect with sellers based on their regions.
Consequently, with the higher supply this season, the total 2024/25 harvested area estimate has increased to 8.6 million acres, up from 6.4 million acres last season. This change, along with other core influences, has contributed to a downward shift in prices.
“Whole cottonseed prices are expected to be lower this crop year, driven by two key factors,” says John Robinson, Texas A&M University professor and Extension economist. “First, an increase in cottonseed production. Second, a decrease in soybean price. These are working together to pressure prices.”
Robinson went on to say he advises producers to consider doing some pricing now as markets are forward projecting, and harvest is predicted to complete earlier.
While harvest is nearing its final stages of the 2024/25 season, weather continues to play a significant role. The Southeast region saw a decline in cotton production following the impact of Hurricane Helene.
“Georgia was hit in September with high winds and heavy rainfall, affecting the quality of the cotton and delaying harvests,” said Robinson. The most recent report shows Georgia’s cotton crop estimate has started to rebound with an increase of about 200,000 bales but remains below the 2023/24 average. Despite adverse weather conditions in the Southeast, the 2024/25 U.S. upland cotton crop is forecasted at approximately 13.7 million bales, a significant increase compared with last season’s 11.75 million bales.
This larger crop will contribute to a greater availability of whole cottonseed, a valuable triple-nutrient feed ingredient, containing protein, available fat and effective fiber.1,2 This unique composition is especially valuable in cattle diets, making it a sought-after feedstuff for dairies, ranches and feedlots across the U.S.
In lactating dairy cows, whole cottonseed is proven to boost milk production and butterfat levels, providing critical nutritional benefits that translate into increased milk yields.3
For beef cattle, research has shown the fat in whole cottonseed improves body condition in beef cattle, which can lead to better reproductive performance.4
As harvest wraps up, producers and their nutritionists should plan their feed ingredient needs for the upcoming year and keep an eye on the market. Devine recommends producers book their cottonseed needs early, working with reputable merchants and suppliers. To find a whole cottonseed merchant in your region, visit the Cottonseed Marketplace at wholecottonseed.com.
1 Jacobs, L., Mullenix, K., & Brown, S. (2019). “Whole cottonseed use in beef cattle diets.” Alabama Cooperative Extension System. https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/beef/whole-cottonseed-use-in-beef-cattle-diets/.
2 Ely, L. O., & Guthrie, L. D. (2012). Feeding whole cottonseed to dairy cows and replacements. University of Georgia Extension. https://secure.caes.uga.edu/extension/publications/files/pdf/SB%2059_2.PDF.
3 Pierce, R. B., Adeniji, Y. A., Bomberger, R., Goodall, S. R., & Harvatine, K. J. (2024). “Effect of feeding increasing levels of whole cottonseed on milk and milk components, milk fatty acid profile, and total-tract digestibility in lactating dairy cows.” Journal of Dairy Science. 107(5):2916–2929. doi: 10.3168/jds.2023-23944.
4 Comerford, J.W. (2014). Added fat in the ration of beef cows to enhance reproduction. Pennsylvania State University. https://extension.psu.edu/added-fat-in-the-ration-of-beef-cows-to-enhance-reproduction.
