The benefits of creep feeding cattle.
If you take a drive through cattle country during the summer months, you are bound to see a creep feeder sitting in the pasture. It might look a little rusty, but as Joe Nilles, CFE Beef Sales Manager, points out, that feeder is playing an important role in filling a nutritional gap for those calves. Joe and the rest of the CFE beef team firmly believe that creep feeding cattle is a way to improve success, not only impacting the quality of your calves, but also your financial gain.
Once a cow hits 60 days post-calving, her milk production decreases; that is when creep feeding comes into play. In the early stages of life, the calf prioritizes milk, followed by grass, then creep feed. As the summer goes on and the calf grows, milk remains the priority, but creep becomes as important as grass. Creep feed supplements nutrition while preparing calves for weaning, so they are not completely unfamiliar with feed when weaned from the cow.
For this reason, creep feeding typically takes place between 60 and 120 days of life. While extended creep feeding would leave calves on the cow longer than 120 days, it can create some challenges; calves may become large, negatively impacting the cow’s ability to bounce back from lactation and maintain her body condition score.
“Many producers believe that by creep feeding their cattle, they will be taking pressure off their cows,” Joe shares, “but creep feeding calves does not take pressure off the cows—it helps producers be able to maximize the genetic potential of their calves and increase the weaning weight.” Creep feeding allows producers to set calves up for success post-weaning.
We start by asking producers what their end goal is for the calves. We want to know if the calves are heading to market or will be retained as heifers, and if they are being sold, will it be a private treaty or in a sale barn? These questions help us develop a plan that is mutually beneficial for calves and the producer. If the calves are going to be retained as replacement heifers, the team pays special attention to the diet at weaning. Calves that are heading to market tend to greatly benefit from being pushed at the creep feed stage, often having upwards of a 50-plus-pound advantage over those that aren’t receiving creep feed.
Think strategically when placing the feeder in the pasture, and be prepared to monitor the trough regularly to check feed levels and remove any caked-up feed. Additionally, as the calves grow, the gate that allows them to get in and out of the creep feeder will need to be adjusted. Creep feeding cattle is a labor of love, but one that is worth it when you see the ROI. We understand that not all producers have creep feeders on hand, so we make it easier by having creep feeders available to rent. Rental of these feeders can be arranged with your CFE feed representative.
“Creep feed is the kind of feed that, when used in tandem with the cow’s milk and the calf’s genetic potential, will provide the producer with the results they are looking for,” Joe says. There’s still time to take advantage of the mutual benefits of creep feeding for your next round of calves. Booking is now open through July 31, with contracts expiring October 30. Now is a great time to connect with the feed team and lock in your prices on feed that makes a valuable impact.
CFE is a full-service feed dealer that partners with producers from conception to market. Whether you are ready to start creep feeding or have another need, we’re eager to work with you. Reach out to your local CFE feed representative anytime, or visit our website to learn more. <<
