Nutrition
Should you Creep Feed this Summer?
By Randy Saner and Travis Mulliniks, University of Nebraska Extension
Things to consider when
creep feeding are:
• Cost of the creep feed
• Efficiency of utilization
of the creep feed
• Difference in price due to
increased weight
of the calves
• Pasture conditions
A three year study was
conducted at the Gudmundsen
168 | JUNE/JULY 2018
Sandhills Ag Lab starting with
120 crossbred (5/8 Red Angus,
3/8 Simmental) March-calving
cows and were divided by body
weight within age group. containing creep feeders
surrounded by panels with
openings sufficient to admit
calves but prevent cow entry
(8 openings, ~15 inches wide).
Treatments were creep feed
with a limiter versus no creep
feed. The non-creep treatment
occupied one pasture while
the creep treatment occupied
2 separate pastures. Cow Body Weight (BW) and
Body Condition Score (BCS)
were measured at calving,
prebreeding, and weaning.
Calf body weight (Calf BW) was
measured at birth, prebreeding,
and weaning. Results of the
creep feeding and its effect on
Creep-fed calves were
introduced into the pasture