2021 Spring Insights - Flipbook - Page 10
Secondly, we need to discuss the
benefits to your calf crop. If you chose
not to creep feed, milk and grass are
the only two components of a calf’s
diet. Depending on these two feed
sources alone can leave a “gap” that
may result in less than optimal gain for
your calves.
This gap can become bigger if you
do not supply your herd with adequate
forage quality and quantity. According
to research, calves who are on a creep
feeding program 80-120 days versus
calves who are not fed creep can add
up to 60 – 70 pounds of gain. The best
times to creep feed to optimize the
1 0 / INSIG HTS
genetic potential for gain are during a
season of decreased forage quality and
quantity, first-calf heifers (lower milk
production), and purebred breeders
raising bulls.
Introducing calves to creep feed also
helps reduce stress at weaning. Calves
who are fed creep often come to the
bunk quicker after weaning because
they are familiar with feed. Creep-fed
calves that experience less stress at
weaning time often have optimized
health and weaning weights compared
to calves who did not receive creep
feed.
Thirdly, we cannot overlook the
benefits creep feeding provides to your
cows. By feeding creep, we will take
some of the stress off the cow. Cows
will need less energy to produce milk
and will, in turn, reduce the nutrient
demand needed. You can save pasture
due to this decreased demand for
energy, and your cows will remain in
better condition throughout the end of
the season.
Finally, let’s put this all together and
talk about the potential payback by
creep feeding in this specific scenario.
Creep cost for a 90-day feeding period
will be about $32 per calf. If no creep
is fed and the cows need to regain the
weight and condition they have lost,
it will cost about $22 per cow. So, for
an investment of about $10, you will
receive 60-70 pounds more in weaning
weight, improved cow condition,
calves that know how to eat, and less
stress at weaning. Ultimately, a wellthought-out creep feeding program
can have many benefits to your
operation and your herd.
We should not forget that creep
feeder management and maintenance
play a big part in successfully creep
feeding calves. Do not leave an empty
or non-working empty feeder in the
pasture. Ensuring that your feeder
gates are set to the right height and the
feed trays’ cleanliness can influence
feed intake.
At River Valley Cooperative, we
understand that not every operation is
the same, and we offer our producers a
couple of different creep feed options.
Rangeland Calf Creep:
This is a pelleted creep that comes in
either a 14% or 16% all-natural protein
and is popular among producers
across our trade area. Rangeland
Calf Creep does not contain intakemodifying technology but is made
with ingredients like wheat midds and
soy hulls that help promote a healthy
rumen in your calves. This product
is available in a variety of medicated
options.