simme
Old Dumb Guy
An interesting article on creep feeding in the July issue of Gulf Coast Cattleman. Highlights of the article from Oklahoma State University Extension:
Creep feeding can increase weaning weights from 20 to 80 pounds. In 31 experiments with calves that had unlimited access to creep feed, weaning weights were 58 pounds higher. And required 9 pounds of feed to produce 1 pound of additional weight.
High quality abundant forage results in poorer feed conversion. The better the maternal nutrition, the poorer the feed conversion from creep on the calves. Creep feed conversion is better when cows are getting lower nutrition. Feeding both the cows and calves results in poorer feed conversion on the calves. Best feed conversion on the calves is when cows are not milking as well, forage quality is low, pastures are overgrazed, drought, etc. Calf feed conversion is better on lower levels of creep feed than higher levels.
Creep levels that result in fleshy calves sold as stockers at weaning will lead to discounts. Heavy creep feeding on calves that go straight to feed at weaning will finish with higher marbling than calves that are not creep fed.
Creep feeding calves does not decrease the nutrition demand on the cows. Calves will take all the milk from the cows whether on creep feed or not. Adding creep feed will not improve the condition of the cows.
If creep feed is costing $400/ton (20 cents per pound) for feed, feeders, handling and labor, and feed conversion is 10/1, then each extra pound of weaning weight costs $2.
Creep feeding can increase weaning weights from 20 to 80 pounds. In 31 experiments with calves that had unlimited access to creep feed, weaning weights were 58 pounds higher. And required 9 pounds of feed to produce 1 pound of additional weight.
High quality abundant forage results in poorer feed conversion. The better the maternal nutrition, the poorer the feed conversion from creep on the calves. Creep feed conversion is better when cows are getting lower nutrition. Feeding both the cows and calves results in poorer feed conversion on the calves. Best feed conversion on the calves is when cows are not milking as well, forage quality is low, pastures are overgrazed, drought, etc. Calf feed conversion is better on lower levels of creep feed than higher levels.
Creep levels that result in fleshy calves sold as stockers at weaning will lead to discounts. Heavy creep feeding on calves that go straight to feed at weaning will finish with higher marbling than calves that are not creep fed.
Creep feeding calves does not decrease the nutrition demand on the cows. Calves will take all the milk from the cows whether on creep feed or not. Adding creep feed will not improve the condition of the cows.
If creep feed is costing $400/ton (20 cents per pound) for feed, feeders, handling and labor, and feed conversion is 10/1, then each extra pound of weaning weight costs $2.
