Creep feeding is usually a method to supplement pre-weaning calves in a manner when their dams do not have access to a desired level of feed quality or quantity.
According to Justin Sexten, assistant professor and state extension specialist in beef nutrition at the University of Missouri, this allows calves to access concentrated supplements or improved pastures prior to weaning.
This method may be considered with low milk-producing cows, high calf prices, low feed prices, to improve calf uniformity (i.e. creep calves from heifers not cows), poor forage quality or low forage availability.
“Providing pre-weaned calves supplemental feed is most appropriate when pasture nutrient composition or availability is limiting calf growth,” said Shane Gadberry, University of Arkansas animal science associate professor. “However, the decision must be financially sound. Producers must consider the value of the additional weight they expect to achieve by creep feeding, the amount of feed it takes to achieve that additional weight and the cost of the feed.”
Sexten added that the expected gains for calves are dependent on several factors. “The supplemental feed to gain ratio for creep feed can range from 4:1 to 30:1.” Supplemental efficiency will depend on how long creep feeds are offered prior to weaning and diet components.
In addition, the economic benefits are dependent of value and cost of gain. “A general rule of thumb is that the value of gain must be less than 10 times the cost of feed delivered to the calf,” Sexten said. “This assumes a 10 to 1 supplemental feed conversion, when milk production is low and forage is limited this conversion rate should improve (decline).”
Sexten added that creep feeding could lead to reduced milk production in replacement heifers if they gain in excess of 2 pounds per day and become overly conditioned. “When milk production is high and forage is readily available conversion will be poor and likely uneconomical.”
When in a modestly limited forage quality or supply situation, creep feeding is beneficial to the calf. “If the objective is to improve conditions for the cows as well, early-weaning may be more feasible,” Gadberry said. “Creep-fed calves still nurse and the competition for forage resources isn’t substantially improved with creep feeding. Early-weaning benefits the cow by reducing her maintenance requirements. The early-weaned calves can be managed separately on a higher plane of nutrition.”
“When considering different feeding methods during a drought, producers must consider cost of feed, feed efficiency and the ability to be flexible in feeding programs,” Sexten said.
