Creep feeding has long been recognized as a strategic tool for livestock management. It involves providing supplemental feed to calves while they are still receiving milk from their dams.
| This practice aims to enhance the growth, health and overall development of the young calves, ultimately contributing to the profitability of beef production operations. Creep feeding can also be used successfully for lambs and goat kids. |
BENEFITS OF CREEP FEEDING
Providing a supplemental feed ensures that the nutritional requirements of the rapidly growing calves are adequately met, leading to increased weight gains.
- → This can result in heavier calves at weaning, translating to higher sale weights and potentially improved market prices.
Creep feeding promotes more uniform growth within the group of calves. Calves with access to supplementary feed tend to show less variation in weight compared to those that rely solely on the dam’s milk.
- → This uniformity can simplify management practices, such as grouping animals for marketing or implementing health protocols.
Calves fed with creep feed can be weaned earlier without sacrificing growth or health. Early weaning offers several advantages, including better reproductive performance in cows and more efficient forage management in pastures.
Accustoming calves to consume solid feed along with the dam’s milk helps minimize stress during weaning. Since they are already familiar with solid feed, the transition off suckling can be smoother, reducing the risk of setbacks such as decreased feed intake or health problems associated with weaning stress.
WHEN TO CREEP FEED
| The timing for starting creep feeding may vary depending on factors such as the calves’ nutritional requirements, forage availability, and herd management. |
Calves often begin creep feed between two and four months of age, when the rumen is developed enough to aid in feed digestion. For best results, creep feeding should continue until weaning.
- → It is important to closely monitor the nutritional needs of the calves and adjust the creep feeding program accordingly, in order to ensure optimal growth and performance while minimizing costs and waste.
Before starting a creep feeding program, producers should evaluate the cost versus the benefit. This benefit is determined mainly by the cattle market and the current prices of feed and calves.
When calf prices are good, creep feeding can offer an excellent return on investment.
An“Anything but Ordinary”) with AO-Biotics® Amaferm®
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Producers can maximize the benefits of creep feeding by using a research-proven prebiotic, such as AO-Biotics® Amaferm®. |
This “Anything but Ordinary” additive improves digestibility by stimulating bacteria and fungi in the rumen.
- »The benefits of Amaferm® are well documented and are influenced by the animal’s age. Its mode of action is exceptionally suited to young calves whose rumen development is still in progress.
| Creep feeding in cattle is a valuable management tool that can contribute to the success and profitability of beef production operations. By providing supplemental feed to nursing calves, producers can improve growth, uniformity, and reduce weaning stress, ultimately optimizing herd performance. |
For more information on how to include AO-Biotics® Amaferm® in your creep feed ration, visit www.aobiotics.com