Analysis 6-1-1. Cottonseed meal is the organic byproduct remaining after cotton is ginned and the seeds crushed and the oil extracted. Hi-Yield Cottonseed Meal is a natural source of nitrogen, phosphate and potash that helps create an acidic soil condition and aids in production of friendly soil bacteria. Cottenseed meal used as an organic fertilizer produces a somewhat acidic reaction; consequently, it is frequently used for fertilizing acid-loving plants such as azaleas, camellias, and rhododendrons. Cottenseed meal can be used for animal feed. However, the meal can be fed only to adult ruminants because it contains a compound called gossypol. The compound is highly toxic to calves which are really "pre-ruminants" in terms of their developing digestive systems.