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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Cotton Ginning Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #407374
Research Project: Development and Evaluation of Novel Technologies to Improve Fiber Quality and Increase Profitability in Cotton Processing

Location: Cotton Ginning Research

Title: Forage properties of fresh and composted cotton gin byproducts as feed supplements

Author
item Alege, Femi
item Donohoe, Sean
item Tumuluru, Jaya Shankar
item Delhom, Christopher
item Blake, Cody
item Thomas, Joseph

Submitted to: AgriEngineering
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/17/2023
Publication Date: 10/24/2023
Citation: Alege, F.P., Donohoe, S.P., Tumuluru, J., Delhom, C.D., Blake, C.D., Thomas, J.W. 2023. Forage properties of fresh and composted cotton gin byproducts as feed supplements. AgriEngineering. 5(4):1955-1970. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering5040120.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering5040120

Interpretive Summary: Cotton ginning generates millions of tons of ‘gin trash’ every year. The cotton gins must dispose of this material or find a use for it. This study aims to find the nutrient content of fresh and composted cotton gin byproducts (CGB) as part of animal feed. The study also considers how composting affects the properties of gin trash. Researchers collected both types of samples from four gins and compared the nutrients and energy contents. The results suggest that composting CGB may result in more than a 47% increase in fiber and crude protein. In addition, results also showed at least a 25% decrease in total digestible nutrients and net energy estimations. The differences in nutrient contents and feed properties means that composting CGB may improve using CGB to feed animals. Knowing the forage properties of CGB will help to find the right formula to use CGB as supplements.

Technical Abstract: Cotton ginning generates millions of tons of byproducts every year. If not properly managed, these materials become waste which may constitute significant environmental, economic, and logistical issues. The objectives of this study were to characterize fresh and composted cotton gin byproducts (CGB) for utilization as animal feed supplements and investigate the effects of com-posting on the forage properties. The study analyzed and compared the nutrients and energy contents of fresh and composted CGB from four commercial cotton gins. The results suggest that composting CGB may result in more than 47% increase in fiber, crude protein, and at least a 25% decrease in total digestible nutrients and net energy estimations. The differences in macro- and micro- nutrient contents and feed properties suggest that composting CGB may improve the potential for utilization as animal feed supplement. Establishing the forage properties of CGB is crucial for determining animal feed formulations using CGB as supplements.