Tackling Whole Cottonseed Transportation Barriers

By Naomi Mortensen

About half of the whole cottonseed produced each year is sold to feed livestock. Cattle nutritionists recommend incorporating whole cottonseed into rations because of its combination of protein, fat and fiber¹ that supports muscle development, lactation and digestive health in cattle^2,3. However, some beef and dairy producers may face challenges sourcing this ingredient at an economical price due to transportation and storage obstacles. Larry Johnson, a cottonseed market expert and owner of Tactical Risk Advisors, has some great advice for overcoming these roadblocks.

Transportation Challenges
When it comes to transportation logistics, whole cottonseed has a few quirks. It doesn’t flow well, it’s combustible and it can be difficult to store because it absorbs moisture. However, Johnson said most transportation companies have improved processes and know exactly how to handle it safely.
Whole cottonseed is transported by truck, rail and barge with the location of each operation typically influencing how it gets from point A to point B.

“California and the Pacific Northwest are supplied mostly by 100-ton-plus rail cars. They also use domestic containers that are loaded onto rail equipment,” said Johnson. “The Northeast is typically supplied by direct trucks from the Carolinas and Georgia. The Midwest can be supplied by truck, rail and barge with barge freight typically being the most economical.”
Price and supply are often impacted by the mode of transportation used. With each method, there are other external factors that come into play. For example, truck driver shortages, high fuel prices and increased freight costs can bump up the price of long-haul loads.

“The days of cheap freight and quick shipments are gone,” said Johnson, who noted weather events like drought affect pricing as well.

Forward Contracting And Other Risk-Reducing Strategies
To consistently maintain whole cottonseed in feed rations, Johnson encourages producers to make buying decisions that reduce risk. This means forward contracting whole cottonseed during the last part of the growing season first to lock in a price that works for your operation.

“I recommend buying the back, which is the supply you’ll need during the last four to six months of the cottonseed season (May through September.) This is when markets typically rally, the price is high and supply can be unpredictable,” said Johnson. “After locking that in, you can turn your attention to times when prices tend to be lower and supply more abundant, like during the gin run (October through December).”

One important caveat to this strategy involves storage.

“You need to consider the carry cost. If it costs too much to store the product, this probably isn’t the right strategy for you,” said Johnson. “It’s also worth noting that gin run no longer guarantees the lowest prices. Since many gins now have their own storage facilities, they aren’t forced to sell.”
Other tips for tackling transportation barriers and reducing risk include:

• Work with reputable resellers. This is the best way to secure quality product. Visit the Cottonseed Marketplace to get started.
• Ensure ample storage. Johnson recommends choosing a seller that has a warehouse so they can deliver when you need it.
• Consider all transportation options. Vans and hoppers are typically cheaper than live floor trailers. They can also be more labor intensive, so work with your seller to find out what delivery options are available.
• Buy now. Waiting too long is not always the best strategy, according to Johnson. It can lead to supply shortages and higher prices. “If it economically fits in the ration and you’re planning on feeding it, you might as well buy it now and lock in your price,” explained Johnson.  

1 Kellog, D. W., J. A. Pennington, Z. B. Johnson, and R. Panivivat. 2001. Survey of management practices used for the highest producing DHI herds in the Unites States. J. Dairy. Sci. 84:E120– E127. doi:10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(01)70206–8.
2 Parish, J Protein requirements of beef cattle. Mississippi State University Extension website. Available at: https://extension.msstate.edu/sites/default/files/topic-files/cattle-bus.... April, 2009. Accessed January 28, 2021.
3 Parish, J Fiber in beef cattle diets. Mississippi State University Extension website. Available at: https://extension.msstate.edu/publications/publications/fiber-beef-cattl.... Accessed January 28, 2021.