Making Creep Feeding Work for Your Operation
By Jaclyn Krymowski
Feed is one of the largest expenses in any livestock operation. Because of that, every feeding decision matters. Producers want to use feed as efficiently as possible while maximizing returns.
One area where those decisions have a major impact is calf development before weaning. Creep feeding often raises an important question: Is the extra feed worth the extra weight?
The answer isn’t always straightforward. Heavier calves at weaning usually mean more pounds to sell. However, those additional pounds also require more feed and higher production costs. Whether creep feeding is profitable depends on the individual operation. Each producer must weigh several economic and management factors before deciding if it fits their program.
According to the Situation
When managed correctly, creep feeding is an effective way to increase weaning weights. However, higher feeder cattle prices and lower feed costs do not automatically mean producers should creep feed every calf.
A successful program requires careful evaluation of both economics and animal performance. Neither is easy to predict.
Feed conversion, for example, varies considerably among creep-fed calves. In some situations, calves may convert feed at an excellent rate of 5 pounds of feed for every pound of gain. In other cases, conversion may decline to 15 pounds of feed per pound of gain.
Several factors influence feed efficiency. Cow milk production is one of the biggest. Calves nursing heavy-milking cows often convert creep feed poorly because much of their nutrition already comes from milk. Genetics, forage quality and the type of creep ration also affect feed conversion.
Environmental conditions also play an important role. During drought, for example, creep feed often produces better gains than relying on forage alone.
Even if producers understand feed conversion and the value of additional weight gain, outside factors can still affect profitability.
One example is grazing endophyte-infected fescue. Under those conditions, creep feeding almost always provides a benefit. Research from the University of Illinois found that energy-based creep rations produced better results than protein supplements in these situations.
The same research also evaluated different feeding periods. Calves that received creep feed for about 56 days before weaning converted feed more efficiently than calves fed for only 28 days or as long as 84 days. Those calves gained approximately 0.75 pounds more per day than calves that received no creep feed.
Not every calf should receive creep feed, however.
Producers planning to retain replacement heifers should avoid creep feeding those animals. High nutrient intake early in life can interfere with mammary gland development. It may also create other developmental problems that reduce future productivity as brood cows.
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