We've been feeding protein pellets to East Texas whitetail deer for many years and have no complaints and great results with our management program. However, we just picked up a lease in South Texas and the biologist for the ranch swears by cottonseed. Admittedly, I have no experience with feeding cottonseed to whitetail because we never saw a reason to replace our "proven" protein program. But the larger acreage in South Texas is going to kill our budget for supplemental feed.

I've done my own research and read some of the available scientific studies--and it appears that cottonseed is cheaper and consumed by fewer species (whitetail and cattle--so I'm not worrying about feeding birds and hogs). I'm aware of the gossypol "sterilization" concern but read that if it did have such an effect on white-tailed deer, it would be temporary and you could simply stop feedings it approximately six weeks before the rut.

What are the positives/negatives of switching from protein pellets to cottonseed? Is it worth doing? Helpful info regarding price, handling, storage, wildlife consumption, antler and body growth, tooth wear, and delivery methods is much appreciated. I've heard it stands up well to moisture and that there are easy ways to build wire bails to deliver the feed--in comparison to expensive protein pellet feeders delivery systems.

Thanks in advance for helpful comments.

I think you are going to solicit two responses.

1. Will be the anti-cottonseed crowd (backed by facts linking it to sterilization and the spread/promotion of boll weevils.

2. The pro cotton seed crowd - Its the best in the world and my deer are huge and its easy/cheaper to use.

Here is my argument:
When was the last time you heard of a giant high fence ranch feeding cottonseed? I'll take it another step further, when was the last time you heard someone feeding cottonseed outside of south texas that shot 160+ deer?

For me it's pretty easy to dismiss the people who claim its the best stuff since slice bread when they have native 160+ deer walking around and naturally high protein diet available.

For the record:

We feed protein at our lease and our landowner refuses to let us try cottonseed.

Other than just pure skepticism, I have no real bias towards cottonseed.

My father and I switched to cotton seed and havent looked back. The Pro's in my mind are:

1) weather resistant (does not spoil). Therefore, you do not have to worry about protein pellets swelling and cloging up a protein feeder.

2) Cotton seed feedind pens cost $25. No need to buy multiple $800.00 plus metal protein feeders.

3) Cheaper than protein. It used to be much cheaper, but it has gone up in price the last few years. a 1 ton pallet of quailty protein pellets will generally go for about $400.00. 1 ton of cotton seed will run about $300.00. When deer go through 1k lbs of protein in the hard months, these saving add up!

4) Racoons and pigs will not mess with the cottonseed.

I know you covered those, but I am just re-emphasizing the pros of cottonseed. I have never had the deer show bad health or abnormal tooth wear due to the cottonseed. They self regulate their intake, so you dont have to worry about steriility. Also, Jack Brittingham feeds it at all his high fence and low fence ranches, so that de-bunks ttha's claim. Also, if you dont have 160 genetics, you dont have 160 genetics.


It is not the best thing since sliced bread, but it is a cheaper alternative than the standard protein pellet approach with equal success. I certainly do not see a problem in trying it if you are interested.

Also, it may take the deer a while to get used to it, so you can mix some corn in it to get them feeding on it.

quote:

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Also, if you dont have 160 genetics, you dont have 160 genetics

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You nailed it. I am trying to point out the fact that most of the people that feed cottonseed, that I have been to their place or know of, have those type of deer walking around naturally*.

I dont think you can deny the cost savings, weather resistance, elimination of secondary feeding (raccoons, birds,.....etc). All of those are great.

*=the potential, given herd management and natural forage

We started feeding cottonseed on our lease. Main reason for that choice was cost follower by cost then cost. Would prefer pellets but yeah it'll have to do for now at least.

Thanks guys--both of you make good points. I'll preface this with the disclaimer that I am not a biologist and therefor have no inkling of the science behind deer management. But I've been hunting since I could walk and have successfully managed places in the past based on experience and common sense. My two cents on supplemental feeding in South Texas (or anywhere else) is that if you add another food source, they are going to eat the hell out of it--which puts less stress on their bodies so more nutrients can go to growing head gear.

In general, South Texas has natural forage that is very high in protein content--making a year-round supplemental feed program less imperative than places like East Texas where the natural diet is not as protein rich. However, supplemental sources are obviously helpful--and probably necessary--to prevent decline in drought years when natural forage is down.

Our place is in an area with "proven genetics" and the landowner requires us to institute a supplemental-feed program. The landowner's biologist is already gung-ho about cottonseed so I don't really see a disadvantage to feeding cottonseed so long as it stays cheaper than pellets.

Its one of those situations where some people will hear about it and be skeptical, some will think wow that's a great idea we should definitely do it. I don't think enough people have tried it, especially in East/Central Texas where far less properties have proven genetics.

I'd like to see studies comparing whether or not deer prefer one or the other between the two, I haven't seen any. If therewere distinct differences in taste and effectiveness for making deer come back to it and want to eat it, it could possibly grow more popular than pellets.

Where can you get cottonseed? I'm interested in trying it in addition to protein pellets for a while, and maybe switching over.

[This message has been edited by 909Ag2006 (edited 3/12/2013 2:34p).]

Where are you located? Finding a gin and getting it in bulk is probably cheapest. If you're in South Texas--Lyssy & Eckel sells it and will deliver.

Our place is near Hondo, but I'm assuming you mean the LE in Poth, correct?

We are in Webb County so Poth is the one that delivers to us. Does the one in Hondo not carry it? There are feed stores in SA that carry it as well but don't know if they deliver.