# 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 17, 2026 · source last checked Aug 27, 2026 · page revised Aug 27, 2026_ > Whole cottonseed is $37/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. Soybean meal is the cheaper source of crude protein at $0.355 per pound versus whole cottonseed's $0.886. Cottonseed priced under soybean meal on energy at $0.217 per pound of TDN compared to $0.231. Whole cottonseed is $37 per ton higher than soybean meal on a raw as-fed basis. ## The numbers | Measure | Whole cottonseed | Soybean meal | Difference (Whole cottonseed − Soybean meal) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Price, $/ton as-fed | $375 | $338 | +$37 | | Price, $/ton dry matter | $408 | $379 | +$28 | | Cost per lb crude protein | $0.886 | $0.355 | +$0.531 | | Cost per lb TDN (energy) | $0.217 | $0.231 | -$0.015 | ## 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 17, 2026 - Update frequency: Weekly --- Cite: Whole cottonseed vs soybean meal is n/a on a $/ton as-fed basis as of Aug 17, 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