Does creep feeding really pay off for cow-calf producers? It is not a simple question to answer because there are so many variables: grain prices, cattle prices, calf type, market discounts, facilities, future plans for the calves.
"The answer will even vary from calving season to calving season on the same farm," said Eldon Cole, livestock specialist with University of Missouri Extension.
Supplementing nursing calves with an energy or protein feed should increase calf weights and possibly increase profits. However, the cost to put the extra weight on the calf must be factored.
This is calculated as discounts are considered for heavier sale weights and possibly for too much flesh/condition on the calf.
Creep feeding is most helpful when lactation levels are low in the females due to age, genetics or poor forage conditions.
Research shows that a typical pounds of feed to added gain ratio might run 7:1. When milk flow is limited, the ratio could drop to 5:1 or less.
In contrast there may be instances where the ratio is unfavorable at 10 to 15 pounds of feed to add an extra pound of weaning weight. This happens when forage quality and quantity is outstanding.
"Providing a creep diet will increase carrying capacity and extend the forage when dry pastures set in. Creep feeding does take some pressure off of first-calf heifers and thin cows," said Cole.
Research shows that a limited creep feed is usually more cost-effective than letting calves eat all they want. The challenge is to find an economical way to limit the intake.
Possibilities include: hand feeding daily or on alternate days; including a limiter such as salt or other additive that slows down consumption; grinding and mixing a high fiber feed in with the concentrate; feed a high quality hay or creep graze ahead of the cow herd.
Creep feeding heifer calves that will end up as breeding replacements can compromise future milk production. For that reason sorting the herd into cows nursing males or female calves may be wise. Seedstock producers tend to creep feed more than commercial growers as it improves the overall appearance of the calves and tends to give them more size uniformity.
Persons who plan to retain ownership of their calves through the feedlot phase and sell through a grid marketing program that rewards high quality carcasses may see improvement in grades by creeping. Improvements will depend on the genetic makeup of the calf. Smaller frame calves may get too fleshy which will result in more buyer resistance.
There are other pluses to creep feeding according to Cole.
"Creeped calves tend to be gentler and easier to handle. It's easier to control external parasites with backrubbers and dust bags. It introduces the calves to a concentrate feed which can aid in the weaning process," said Cole.
For more information, contact MU Extension livestock specialists in southwest Missouri: Eldon Cole in Mt. Vernon, (417) 466-3102 (417) 466-3102 or Dona Goede in Cedar County, (417) 276-3313 (417) 276-3313 .
Source : MU Extension