# Whole cottonseed vs soybean meal spread Whole cottonseed versus Soybean meal: the raw $/ton spread, on a dry-matter basis, and on cost per pound of protein and energy _Data through Aug 24, 2026 · source last checked Sep 3, 2026 · page revised Sep 3, 2026_ > Whole cottonseed is $17/ton over Soybean meal on a raw as-fed basis, but on the nutrient that matters here Soybean meal is the cheaper source of a pound of crude protein this week. A price screen, not a feeding recommendation. Whole cottonseed is $17 per ton over soybean meal as-fed, but soybean meal is the cheaper protein source at $0.376 per pound of crude protein versus $0.886. On energy, whole cottonseed prices lower at $0.217 per pound of TDN, $0.029 under soybean meal's $0.245. ## The numbers | Measure | Whole cottonseed | Soybean meal | Difference (Whole cottonseed − Soybean meal) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Price, $/ton as-fed | $375 | $358 | +$17 | | Price, $/ton dry matter | $408 | $402 | +$5 | | Cost per lb crude protein | $0.886 | $0.376 | +$0.510 | | Cost per lb TDN (energy) | $0.217 | $0.245 | -$0.029 | ## About Whole cottonseed vs soybean meal spread A raw $/ton spread is the starting point, not the answer. Two feeds at the same $/ton can deliver very different amounts of protein and energy per ton of dry matter, so the table above also shows each feed on a dry-matter basis and as a cost per pound of crude protein and per pound of TDN, the same math the nutrient-cost screening board runs. Basis: both are quoted fob plant, so the raw $/ton gap is a like-for-like comparison before freight. **Nutritional limits.** Whole cottonseed brings protein, fat and fiber together, which is why dairies value it, but its gossypol and fat cap intake. [Alabama Cooperative Extension](https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/beef/whole-cottonseed-use-in-beef-cattle-diets/) puts a common rate near 5 to 8 pounds a cow a day for mature cattle, and it is unsuitable for swine, poultry and young calves. This is a price screen on one or two nutrients, not a feeding recommendation: inclusion rates, amino-acid balance, effective fiber and palatability are the nutritionist's call, not a price table's. ## About this data - Source: Derived from USDA AMS feedstuffs board prices - Series: Whole cottonseed vs soybean meal - Basis: Two feeds differenced, as-fed $/ton - Geography: National - Unit: $/ton - Calculation period: Weekly - Last observation: Aug 24, 2026 - Update frequency: Weekly --- Cite: Whole cottonseed vs soybean meal is n/a on a $/ton as-fed basis as of Aug 24, 2026 (USDA feedstuffs board). The Ration. https://the-ration.com/spread/whole-cottonseed-vs-soybean-meal Canonical URL: https://the-ration.com/spread/whole-cottonseed-vs-soybean-meal