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Creep-feeding considerations

Creep-feeding considerations— The primary objective of this management practice is to put additional weight on the calf before weaning without making the calves fleshy, especially if sold at weaning. The decision whether to creep-feed calves really boils down to if it can be accomplished economically to increase the profit potential for the cow-calf producer. Types of creep feed—There are a number of creep rations that producers can consider. Most creep rations are high in energy and are typically about 16% crude protein. Data would suggest that high-energy creep rations will result in the greatest weight gain. Creep-feeding research studies show a wide range of feed conversions, from 4:1 to 18:1 pounds (lb.) of creep per 1 lb. of calf gain. Research at the University of Arkansas Southwest Research & Extension Center in 2008 reported a creep feed conversion of 4.3 to 4.5:1 with either a soybean hull or corn-based creep feed formulated to contain 15% protein (DM) and fortified with monensin. Calves gain about as fast as their genetic makeup will allow when there is an abundance of highquality forage. Calf gain also depends on the milk output of the dam. When creep feed is offered to calves, milk intake is usually not affected. There are no data to document that creep-feeding can be used to reduce nursing frequency and intensity on cows or young lactating females. In general, calves will eat about 3.2 lb. per head daily (range 0 to 6.5 lb. per head per day, depending on length of the creep-feeding period) with a gain-to-feed ratio of 1 lb. gain to 6 lb. creep (range 1:4.2 to 1:10), and an increased average daily gain (ADG) of 0.3 lb. (range 0.15- to 0.65-lb. increase in ADG) compared to non-creep-fed calves.  Creep-grazing calves appears to be most beneficial when the forages cow-calf pairs are grazing are low in quantity or quality and high-quality creep forage can be grown more inexpensively than conventional creep feeds can be purchased. To implement creep-grazing, a producer could plant small pastures of high-quality forage adjacent to pastures grazed by cowcalf pairs. Forages well-suited for use in a creep-grazing system are high in forage quality and readily available.  Another option in a “cell-grazing” situation is to allow access of the next pasture in the rotation to the calves before allowing the cows access.  Limiting creep feed intake can be achieved by adding 5 to 10 percent salt. Limiting feed results in a lower total weight gain; however, the amount of supplemental feed per pound of added weight gain is reduced, making this a cost-effective decision. Calves should be started on creep without salt, and salt gradually added until the desired level of creep intake is acquired (1 pound, high protein meals or 3 pounds, moderate protein). When creep-feeding calves, make sure only calves can have access to the creep feed. There have been situations when calves are offered creep feed, but the feeding structure does not keep small-framed cows from consuming the creep feed. This is costly. When to creep feed—Data suggests that creep feeding at least 80 days has a positive effect on carcass quality (Tarr et al, 1994). The effect of creep feeding on carcass quality is influenced by the length of the creep feeding period and type of creep feed fed. If calves are sold at weaning, creep-fed calves will be heavier than non-creep-fed calves; therefore, more calf weight can be sold. The key is, can this management practice be accomplished economically and increase the profit potential of the cowcalf enterprise? When determining costs for creep-feeding, include feed costs, equipment and labor costs. Generally, producers may use a feed conversion of 10 pounds feed per pound of body weight gain. This makes the math easily calculated. For example, if 550-pound calves are selling for $1.70 per pound, then 10 additional pounds of body weight would be worth $17. If the feed conversion (10) is multiplied by the amount of weight (10), this equals 100 pounds feed for 10 pounds gain. Therefore, if the feed costs $9 per cwt and the added value is $17 per cwt, then creep feeding would return approximately $8 per calf (before labor & equipment costs) at a 10:1 feed conversion. Creep Feeding Final thoughts: 1) Access to lower-quality forages or forages that affect intake may result in a better creep feed conversion than demonstrated previously. However, if creep feeding appears profitable using a 10:1 conversion, then returns will be greater if actual feed conversions are less than 10:1. 2) Access to higher-quality forages such as cool-season annuals, nontoxic infected fescue and legumes may result in a poor supplemental feed conversion. If the margin appears narrow when figuring a 10:1 feed conversion, then it is likely that creep feeding will result in a negative return or break-even under best case scenarios. 3) Supplementation that results in large amounts of additional body weight gain may result in cattle receiving a lower price per pound (price slide), but this often results in more gross income. 4) Calves that become too fleshy or fat may be discounted at marketing. Market survey data has demonstrated a $6 to $16 per cwt discount for fleshy and fat calves. Additional management considerations: 1) Creep feeding will not alleviate nutrient demands for the nursing cow. Calves will still nurse the cow. Creep feeding may alleviate some grazing pressure; however, the forage dry matter intake of a calf is less than half of the intake required by the dam. As a result, early weaning may be more beneficial than creep feeding during drought conditions. 2) Creep feeding exposes calves to eating from a bunk and concentrate-type feedstuffs. This exposure may be beneficial in adapting weaned calves to a new environment where they will be partially or fully fed from a feed bunk. Jason E. Holmes; Regional Livestock Specialist, LSU AgCenter. Reference: Univ. of Arkansas Research & Extension Publication FSA3107