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Timely Topic
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When to Creep Feed Calves
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Data would suggest that creep-fed calves will weigh more than non-creep-fed calves at weaning. However, the longer non-creep-fed calves are retained after weaning, the weight advantage of creep-fed calves decreases. Based on this information, if calves are retained after weaning creep feeding is probably not a management option to consider.
If calves are sold at weaning, creep-fed calves will be heavier than non-creep fed calves, therefore more calf weight can be sold. As mentioned earlier, fleshy calves at weaning will receive a price discount. Recently, there has been interest to creep feed because of high market prices for calves at weaning and low cost of grain. The key in this situation is, can this management practice be accomplished economically and increase the profit potential of the cow/calf enterprise? When determining costs for creep feeding, include not only feed costs, but equipment (creep feeder, tractor, and wagon with an auger to fill the feeder if not done by the creep supplier) and labor costs.
Because of the recent, wide-spread drought, there has been interest to creep feed calves. In drought conditions, grass quantity and quality for the cows is lower that in “normal” precipitation years and cows potentially will loose weight and condition and milk production will be lower. It is generally thought that creep feeding calves will take lactational pressure off cows. Again, data would suggest that creep-fed calves nurse as often as non-creep-fed calves. In this situation, it is probably more economical to wean the calves and feed them a complete diet.
Fall calving herds in the midwest are challenged because of low nutrient quality of the forage resource when lactation occurs. If lactating, fall calving cows are supplemented, calf weaning weight may or may not increase. It depends on the weather and other factors that the increased supplementation may be used for. The concern is with heifers selected as replacements being able to attain puberty and become cyclic before the start of the breeding season. Because fall-born heifer calves tend to weigh less at weaning, it may be difficult to develop them at a rate that a producer would be comfortable with to get them to cycle before the start of the breeding season. In this situation, creep feeding may be warranted. [May 20th, 2005]
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Dr. Rick Rasby, Professor of Animal Science
Animal Science, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
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Visitors' comments
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Rick,
In your article "When to creep feed calves" you suggest that the longer creep fed calves are retained after weaning they start to lose their weight advantage. It would be prudent to report the data set that statement was based on (Anderson et al., 1978; Faulkner et al., 1994; Fluharty et al., 2000; Ringwall et al., 2001).
Besides the advantage of increased weaning weights, there are data sets showing the advantage of creep feeding and post-weaning gain and health as well as the potential to improve USDA quality grades (Faulkner et al., 1994; Myers et al., 1999).
Another advantage would be to use it for young first and second calf heifers and increase their calves weights to make them more uniform with the mature cow herd.
Creep feeding can also be used as a tool to save available forage by reducing forage intake (Cremin et al., 1991; Tarr et al., 1994.; Faulkner wt al., 1994).
Finally, I will say you are correct in that calf selling price and slides need to be considered in the total program economics.
Jeff Heldt, PhD PAS from MN, 2005-05-20
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Appreciate your comments. The concept of the longer creep-fed calves are retained post-wean that they loose their weight advantage at weaning compared to non-creep-fed calves was in a NebGuide by Dr. Paul Guyer. However, it is also supported by one of the references that you cited (Faulkner et al., 1994 Journal of Animal Science) where they showed that weights were statistically different at the end of the creep period, but the final weighs at finishing were numerically different, they were not statistically different. Work done by Mayo et al., showed that final weights were not different between creep-fed and non-creep-fed calves; however, they showed an advantage in hot carcass weight, which is interesting when final weights were not different.
I would agree that creep-fed calves will consume less forage, therefore a savings on pasture (Faulkner data). I would suggest if you want to save on forage, just wean the calf. For each 2.5 days that the calf is weaned there is 1 more day of potential grazing for the cow (Lardy data on the amount of grass a calf will consume, Nebraska; forage savings between a lactating and non-lactating cow - 1996 NRC). Also, early weaning you will take advantage of the efficient gain of the young calf (Faulkner et al., early weaned data).
Creep feeding does not appear to reduce milk intake from the dam (Faulkner 1994).
I would agree that there is a body of data that creep feeding might influence quality grade (Faulkner 1994); however if you look at the Meyer et al., 1999 and compare the normal wean creep-fed calves with the normal weaned calves, there is no difference in carcass weight and no statistical difference at the P=.05 level in marbling score, %Choice, %Ave Choice, %Prime.
I would agree that having calves eating a ration prior to weaning decreases morbidity and mortality at weaning.
Target creep feeding the calves of two’s and three’s to make them weigh more and the calf crop more uniform is debatable. Again it boils down to a question of economics (need to determine inputs versus output) and understanding price slide. If you want to make the calf crop more uniform at selling time at weaning, sort and sell the heavies together and sell the lights together.
Finally, growing calves using creep feed and not making them “fat” is important when selling at weaning, but also if the heifers are to be retain as females. Buskirk et al., 1996 using Simmental x Angus heifers that were creep-fed as calves had a 25% reduction in milk production compared to their non-creep-fed herdmates.
Rick Rasby from NE, 2005-05-25
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