Creep feed right
by Dr. Jim White
There are several critical points for creep feeding management. Try these tactics to put on pounds and prevent waste.
Cow calf producers dearly love creep feeding for few simple reasons: It has been used to increase weaning weights, reduce grazing pressure and increase post-weaning feed intake. For producers selling calves at weaning, increasing weaning weights directly influences profitability.
In a recent field trial with Cattle Charge fed as a creep feed for 2 months, we saw calf average dail gain of 3.4 to 3.5 pounds with creep feed feed to gain ratios (pounds of feed required per pound gain) of 3.2 to 3.53.
Creep feeding keeps calves more uniform at sale time. It keeps cows in better body condition, and it provides additional nutrients when fall calving or early weaning. Work at the University of Illinois has shown that creep-fed calves have less respiratory problems than do calves not creep fed.
Creep feed strategy
While grass is rapidly growing, the most complementary creep feed is energy-short relative to protein. Highly digestible, higher fiber feeds such as Cattle Charge are preferred. This is especially the case for calves over 300 pounds. In creep feeds, the use of moderately digestible fiber (alfalfa meal) or low digestible fiber (cottonseed hulls) or indigestible fiber (rice hulls) has been shown to negatively influence calf performance. That is why those types of ingredients are not used in MFA Cattle Charge.
When a grass pasture is mature, it is protein-short relative to energy; therefore a higher protein creep is indicated. In such a situation MFA Trendsetter is preferred over Cattle Charge.
If creep intakes get excessive, deploying MFA Cadence will reduce creep feed intakes. It is better to not deploy Cadence until calves are 400 pounds of body weight. Smaller calves are in energy- and protein-dependant growth; restricting feed will reduce performance. Variable inclusion rates of Cadence allow for using it as a feeder management aid to budget feed allocation.
When conventional creep feed intakes are over 5 to 6 pounds per day, Cadence makes a good late-season creep option. If pasture needs to be stretched, if greater intakes are needed or if there are “more calves than pasture,” Cadence 25C or 50C are options.
Make the adjustments
Creep feeders are sort of like bath water—you can spend all your time making adjustments, but having it “pretty good” is really important.
Place creep feed in the feeder immediately after moving the feeder into the pasture or immediately after moving cows and calves into the pasture. Calves have an initial curiosity and will investigate the feeder. If the feeder is empty, calves are not as likely to check out the feeder in the future.
Ensure calves are aware of the feeder being filled and the presence of the creep feeder. If pairs are not close or at least in sight when filling the feeder, they may not find the feeder for quite some time.
Initially, the creep feeder should be placed in a location where cattle congregate, such as near water or shade.
A few pounds of a sweet feed could be placed in the trough to first attract calves to the feeder. A very good choice for such a sweet feed is Standout Calf Starter. It is extremely palatable and nutrient dense. It is suggested to only partially fill the creep feeder at the first feeding. Placing a small amount of creep feed in the feeder will help ensure fresher feed.
Move the creep feeder as conditions warrant. One method to help control consumption is to relocate the creep feeder further away from areas where cows congregate. I concede that this is easy to say and much harder to do. However, moving the feeder does more than help control consumption; it encourages a more even grazing distribution pattern.
Get the right creep
Proper width of the slide opening in the creep feeder is critical. The opening should only be one half to a full inch wide. This is open enough to permit feed to fall into the trough without allowing feed to accumulate in the trough. There About 30 percent of the pan should be covered with feed. If pan is completely covered with feed, the likelihood of feed wastage is great.
Do not allow fines to accumulate in the trough. Check creep feeders after a rain. Removing wet feed from the trough will prevent the feeder from plugging and helps prevent mold growth on feed. A 2- to 3-inch medium-flex putty knife can be very handy.
Inspect creep feeder panels. Adjustments may be needed. Taller and narrower gates are needed for large-framed calves, which are the ones that benefit the most from creep feed. A tall, narrow gate is preferred over a low gate with a wide gap. Ensure that cows cannot get into the creep area.
Enable calves to move freely within the creep area and to exit and enter
easily by using requisite creep panel extensions. Overcrowding of calves in a small area can trap calves.
None of this is rocket science. It’s just good management and a way to make sure you’re not throwing money on the ground or letting it rot in the bunk.
Dr. Jim White is ruminant nutritionist
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