published in

The Peace River Farmer and Rancher

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Much of the original research that developed dry citrus pulp as a cattle feed was conducted at the Range Cattle REC by Dr. Gordon Kirk in the 1940s and 1950s. Subsequently, dry citrus pulp became a hot commodity on the European feed market and was priced out of reach to the Florida beef industry. Recently, the European market softened and dry citrus pulp is again affordable in Florida as a winter supplement. The current price is $55/ton, bulk, FOB Okeechobee.

If the market price of dry citrus pulp is low, the cost of processing dry citrus pulp may exceed its value as a commodity feed. Therefore, many citrus plants discontinue processing dry citrus pulp and offer wet pulp to cattlemen for the price of trucking. This may sound free, but it is not. Wet pulp contains approximately 80% water, and trucking water to livestock is not a profitable endeavor. Therefore, the value of wet pulp must be weighed against the cost of dry pulp or other feed supplements.

We have had numerous inquires at the Range Cattle REC regarding the value of wet citrus pulp. The information below may be helpful in making purchasing decisions.

First it is assumed that dry and wet citrus pulp have the same nutritive value on a dry matter basis; 78% TDN and 7.0% protein. If a truck delivers 15 tons of wet pulp for $100 it cost $7/ton of wet pulp which appears cheap, but since wet pulp contains only 20% dry matter the real cost is $33/ton of dry matter. In comparison dry pulp containing 91% dry matter, at $55/ton, has a value of $60/ton of dry matter. Even though wet citrus pulp is free, the cost of shipping significantly affects the actual cost to the producer.

Another consideration is that cows will waste a considerable amount of wet pulp offered free-choice in a pile. Compared to a waste of 5% with dry pelleted pulp, wet pulp waste could be as high as 30%. Using these assumptions on waste, dry citrus pulp would cost $64/ton of dry matter consumed, and wet pulp would cost $48/ton of dry matter consumed.

In the above example, wet citrus pulp remains a good buy, even when adjusted for its high water content and high wastage. However, this example shows that a feed product like wet citrus pulp that appears cheap on an as-fed basis can be relatively expensive in terms of real costs when consumed by the cow. Thus, it is important to be careful what one pays for wet pulp.

Feeding citrus pulp should be viewed as a complement to a good winter forage program. Citrus pulp is low in fiber and protein which are needed by the cow for good nutrition. It is important that adequate quantities of forage be availability and a good protein supplement be provided when feeding either dry or wet citrus pulp, especially for young cattle.

Pasture sod damage will occur in the feeding areas used to pile wet pulp. In these areas pasture weeds and undesirable grasses may become established the following growing season. To minimize this problem, place wet pulp on less productive areas of pasture and continue to dump new loads in the same location. Also, these feeding areas will result in high-intensity sites for nutrient accumulation. Consider the Florida Cattlemen's Best Management Practices Manual to reduce the risk of water runoff contamination.

Detailed information about the value of wet citrus pulp can be obtained on the University of Florida, IFAS, EDIS web site http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_AN108.

For questions or comments regarding this publication contact Findlay Pate

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