Black Oil Sunflower: High-Energy Ingredient with Broad Feed Value
A nutrient-dense oilseed sourced with CERCO’s supply precision and commodity market insight.
What Is Black Oil Sunflower?
Black oil sunflower refers to sunflower seeds with thin shells and high oil content, commonly cultivated for oil extraction. The resulting products include whole seeds, sunflower oil and sunflower meal which are widely used in animal feed due to their high energy density and palatability.
Ingredients derived from black oil sunflower provide a natural source of fats, fiber, and protein, and are valued across livestock, poultry, and pet feed sectors for their digestibility and flexibility in ration formulation.
Where Black Oil Sunflower Is Used
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Black oil sunflower is a go-to ingredient in wild birdseed blends and poultry diets due to its high oil content, digestibility, and strong palatability. The thin shell and small size make it ideal for both small and large birds, and it provides an excellent source of energy, especially in cold-weather feeding programs.
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Used as a bypass fat and fiber source, black oil sunflower provides dairy cows and beef cattle with extra energy to support milk fat production, and weight maintenance. Its unsaturated fat content can be beneficial when balanced correctly within total mixed rations (TMR). The seed's natural oil contributes to higher energy density without excessive starch.
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In equine feed, BOSF is used as a natural fat and fiber source, promoting skin health, shiny coats, and controlled energy release. It’s often included in senior horse diets or performance feed blends to supply clean calories without the excitability sometimes associated with grain-heavy feeds. The high oil content supports endurance, weight gain, and immune health.
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Black oil sunflower is valued in pet food as a functional fat and fiber ingredient, especially in high-protein or specialty diets. It supports skin and coat condition, palatability, and calorie density in treats and kibble formulations. Whole or cracked forms can also serve as a visual indicator of whole-food quality in premium formulations.
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BOSF is a flexible component in oilseed meal blends, custom mixes, or high-energy livestock rations. It complements soybean meal, cottonseed, and other fat-enhancing ingredients to meet specific nutritional targets. Whether used for transitional energy boosts or as a year-round inclusion, CERCO helps align supply with your blend specs and formulation needs.
Why Source Black Oil Sunflower from CERCO?
At CERCO, our market expertise help buyers secure the correct black oil sunflower ingredients.
Our team can provide:
Spot load or contract purchasing
Supplier diversity across North America
Freight and storage coordination
Oil content, protein, and fiber spec support
Market timing and pricing strategy
We help buyers navigate volatility and secure consistent access to oil-rich ingredients that deliver nutritional and economic value.
Let’s Talk BOSF
If you're sourcing black oil sunflower for wild bird feed, livestock nutrition, or blended formulations, CERCO is ready to help. Let’s match your specs to the right supplier and streamline the entire process.