| | With a drier than normal fall and winter, it is taking longer for pastures to green up and have sufficient growth to support grazing this spring. To compound this problem, many pastures were overgrazed last fall, and will not produce as much forage compared to a year with normal weather conditions. This summer’s weather is predicted to be hot and dry. Not encouraging for good grass growth.
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When the cows and calves are on pasture, how can you optimize forage use this summer? There are management strategies available to increase calf gains without sacrificing cow condition. Creep feeding calves is an option that deserves consideration.
Creep rations need to contain sufficient protein to support growth of the calf. A 400 pound calf requires 16 percent protein to develop the frame and muscle growth. Feeding straight oats or barley will supply additional energy but not enough protein. The calves will be short in stature, over fat and discounted at the auction market.
In a ‘normal year’ when calves are on creep feed, they tend to substitute creep feed for forage in their diet. If a calf consumes 90 kg (200 lb) of creep feeding throughout the summer, approximately 68 kg (150 lb) of forage dry matter is not consumed. This saving would represent an additional animal unit month of pasture for every four calves being creep fed. Under good pasture conditions, the average increase in weaning weight is 18 kg (40 lb) with a range from10 to 40 kg (25 to 100 pounds). For a normal year, for every 4 pounds of creep feed consumed, a calf should gain one pound of additional weight
In ‘dry years’ when forage is limited and cows are not producing sufficient milk, calves may consume 435 kg (960 pounds) of creep feed over four months. Weight gains could be improved by 45 kg (100 pounds) or more.
Is creep feeding cost effective? The partial budget below includes the costs and benefits from creep feeding calves for a 100 cow herd. Use these figures as a guideline.
Added costs | Notes and calculations | Added Costs($) | Your numbers |
Grain and supplement | 43 tonnes for 120 days
16% protein | Commercial* $ 15,050
Home* $ 9,129 |  |
Transportation | Feed to feeder | $ 1,000 | |
Creep feeder ** | 175 bushels (on wheels) | $ 675 | |
Total | | $ 16,725 / $ 10,804 | |
* Commercial: $350 / T
Home: 35 % barley @ $ 225 / T, 35 % oats @ $185 / T, 30 % peas @ $260 / T ($230/T total)
** 10 year amortized cost
Added Revenue
or Reduced costs | Notes and Calculations | Added revenues (+) or reduced costs (-) ($) | Your numbers |
Increased weight gain | 40 or 100lbs.@ $ 1.85 / lb | + $ 7,400 to +$ 18,500 | |
Cows on pasture | More AUM per acre | - $ 3000 * | |
Reduced winter feed cost | 1400 lbs of hay / cow for 1 BCS ** | - $ 7000 | |
Total | | $ 17,400 to $ 28,500 | |
Net Benefit | Sample calculation | $ 675 / $ 17,696 | |
* $30 per month as the value of a grazing AUM
** A cow in Body Condition Score (BSC) 3 going into winter requires 1400 lbs less hay compared to a thinner cow in BSC 2. Cost of hay: $0.05 per pound.
Creep feeding calves has an associated benefit of reducing weaning stress and the occurrence of the common diseases associated with weaning. Calves tend to find the feed bunk quicker, and start eating sooner than calves that have not been exposed to creep feed. It is very difficult to put a value on these benefits.
Thin cows tend to take longer to start cycling after calving. They also are not able to produce as much milk as a cow in good condition. The quantity and quality of colostrum is reduced when a cow is thin. All these factors impact long term productivity of the herd.
For more information on creep feeding, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry has a factsheet entitled ‘Creep Feeding Calves’ available on Ropin’ the Web that discusses creep feeding in more detail. Another document that can be referred to is ‘Creep Feeding – Frequently asked Questions’. There is also a Creep Feeding Calculator available on RTW. To discuss creep feeding with a beef specialist, contact the Ag-Info Centre at 310-3276.
By Barry Yaremcio – Beef and Forage Specialist
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development |
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