Topic: Creep Feeding
Host: Joanna Coles, Warren County Extension Agent for Agriculture
Guest: Adam Estes, Hart County Extension Agent for Agriculture & Natural Resources
Creep Feeding is providing supplemental feed to a nursing calf while excluding the cow from said feed. At 90-120 days of age, milk only supplies 50% of the nutrients needed for maximum growth. The other 50% needs to come from another source if the calf is to maximize its full genetic potential. We want pounds to sell. Pasture is the best option for the other 50%, and the most economical. Although, depending on the time of year, good pasture may not be the most available source of nutrients. The rates of gain per day can increase from .10-.50 lbs per day. Some questions you may want to ask yourself before creep feeding are: Is it economical or profitable? What kind of conversion rate can I get? ( lbs of feed per lb of gain. This can range from 3:1-18:1) Also, does this type of feeding add value to my calf crop? Some instances where it may add value to the calf crop would be: Dry weather (drought), low milking cows, first calf heifers, aging cows, late born calves and low quality pasture. Instances where creep feeding may not be profitable include: Heavy milking cows, high quality pasture, and having heifers kept as replacements. Creep feeding is not recommended for heifers kept as replacements due to fat depositions in udders which may permanently reduce a heifer’s ability to produce milk Overall, keep it simple! Consult with your County Extension Agriculture Agent to discuss creep feeding options. Make sure it is economical, and also palatable. Calves won’t gain weight if they won’t eat. Expect intakes to be 2-2.5% on most feeds. Larger calves will eat a large amount of feed. Promote calves starting on feed by keeping the feeder in an area where cattle spend a lot of time. If you think they are eating too much then you may want to move the feeder away from those areas or make sure the doors on the feeder sit right.