However, by the time a calf is 90 days old, an average milking beef cow may produce enough milk to meet only one-half the nutrients needed by the calf for maximum growth.įor example, a 90 kg (200 lb) calf requires about 11 kg (25 lb) of milk to gain at a rate of 0.9 kg (2 lb) per day. Lactating beef cows grazing on good pasture early in the season can meet their nutritional needs for optimum milk production. In comparison, creep fed calves from dams wintered at a nutritionally adequate level gained only 24 kg (53 lb) more than the comparable non-creep fed calves. In one trial, creep fed calves whose dams had been wintered at a low nutritional level gained an average of 40 kg (88 lb) more than their non-creep fed counterparts. The previous nutritional history of the cow is also a factor. This result also indicates that creep feeding calves from two-year-old heifers will tend to produce a more uniform calf crop. A summary report comparing the creep feeding response of calves from 2 and 3 year old dams showed that the creep fed calves were 8 and 12 kg (18 and 26 lb) heavier, respectively, than non-creep fed calves. The dam's milk production depends on her genetic capability, pasture availability, age and previous nutritional history. Thus, the gap between the calves' nutrient requirements and the amount of nutrients supplied by milk and pasture tends to increase. The cows' milk production decreases in late summer and fall, as does available pasture and quality. If the calves' nutrient requirements are greater than the nutrients supplied by milk and pasture, the calves' growth rate will be restricted. This increase is greater in calves with a good growth potential (i.e. Under most pasture conditions, the average increase in weaning weight is 18 kg (40 lb) - with 10 to 27 kg (25-60 lb) being common.Ĭalves sucking good milking dams on good pasture will gain little from creep feeding, but if milk and/or pasture are poor, weaning weights can be substantially improved by creep feeding.Īs calves approach weaning, their nutrient requirements increase. The factors affecting the response are as follows:ĭepending on these variables, creep fed calves can be expected to gain from 2 to 45 kg (5-100 lb) more before weaning than non-creep fed calves. The extra weight gained as a result of creep feeding is variable. Creep feeding has many advantages, but there are also disadvantages that must be considered by the livestock producer. However, the selling price of the calves and the cost of feed must be considered when a producer is making a decision about creep feeding. The feed is provided in a facility designed so that adult animals are unable to consume the creep feed.īy providing creep feed, it is possible to increase preweaning weight gains and weaning weights. Creep feeding helps in supplementing mother's milk and pasture.
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