Creep Feeding Beef Calves By Michael Berry Coffee County Young Farmer Advisor Modified by Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office – July, 2002

Creep Feeding Beef Calves Describe the advantages and disadvantages of creep feeding Explain when creep feeding is profitable Formulate creep rations Explain the various methods of creep feeding

Teaching Procedure Introduction and Mind Set Creep Feeding Discussion

Introduction and Mind Set Weaning weight : Non-genetic ways of increasing calf-weaning weights: #1 Increase the milk production of the dam #2 Increase forage consumption of the calf #3 Provide supplemental feed to the calf

Creep Feeding The practice of providing supplemental feed to nursing calves before weaning Cattle producers must remember to treat creep feeding as a management decision rather than a yearly management practice.

Creep Feeding When is creep feeding most likely to pay? Purebred herds fall/winter calves 1st calf heifers limited forage poor milkers drought feeder calf prices are high large framed/exotic breeds Creep feeding is not advantageous when: abundant forage good milkers heifers kept for replacements Weaned calves are to be fed a high roughage growing ration

Creep Feeding Precautions Creep feeding is not necessary and serves no purpose during the first three months of a calf’s life. Creep feeding covers up or masks the poor milking performance of some cows. Research has shown that creep feeding heifers to be used as replacements can reduce their milking ability as cows.

Economics of Creep Feeding #1 Calves full-fed a creep ration will usually out perform non-fed calves by pounds with the average being 60 pounds. #2 Rule of Thumb- “Cost of creep feed per pound times 10 must be less than the price of calves per pound.”

Cost Per Pound of Extra Gain Achieved Creep Feeding

Formulating Creep Rations Cost Palatability Quality

Formulating Creep Rations Grain alone is usually adequate Protein must come from a plant source Urea should not be used Whole grains should be coarsely ground or cracked to improve usage % molasses will improve palatability and reduce dust

Formulating Creep Rations Salt can be used to limit intake Starting calves on feed: 0-2.5% of ration After calves are eating: Salt can be adjusted up to 10% of the ration

Methods of Creep Feeding Types: Full Creep Limit-Creep Pasture Creep

Methods of Creep Feeding Facilities: Feeder should be portable Feeder MUST have a roof Allow 1 linear foot per 3 calves Locate near water, shade, and loafing area Creep openings should be 3 feet high and inches wide

Methods of Creep Feeding Precaution: A good management precaution against enterotoxemia (over-eating disease) is to vaccinate with a 7-way vaccine for the prevention of clostridia, black-leg, and malignant edema

Creep Rations

Summary Review the advantages and disadvantages, as well as, the economics of creep feeding. Stress that creep feeding is not for every operation every year. Review the feed components and facilities needed to successfully creep feed beef calves.

References Creep Feeding Beef Calves, Cooperative Ext. Service, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN Creep Feeding Beef Calves, Cooperative Ext. Service, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE Creep Feeding Beef Calves, Cooperative Ext. Service, University of Georgia, Athens, GA Creep Feeding Beef Calves, Department of Animal Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

Materials and Equipment PowerPoint Projector Handout 1:1 Handout 1:2