Скачать или смотреть Creep Feeding

Joanna visits with Dr. Jeff Lehmkuhler, University of Kentucky Beef Cattle Specialist to talk about creep feeding.
Creep feeding is when producers provide supplemental feed to animals that are still nursing as a way to efficiently help them grow and attain a higher weaning weight. With proper management, creep feeding can be an efficient way of putting on pounds pre-weaning. Generally, creep feeding is profitable when feeder cattle prices are high and feed costs are low. To take advantage of that, producers need to creep feed beginning the 60 days prior to weaning. Creep feeds are generally higher in crude protein to overcome any protein limitations in the forage being offered. Young calves are in a lean phase of growth and supplementing marginal forage can improve calf performance. There is not a single creep feed mixture that is the best for every situation. You need to factor in the composition of the forage, predicted or desired creep supplement intake, and the calves’ nutritional needs when designing a creep supplement. Lehmkuhler offered a few tips to help put together a creep supplement and to manage the feeder: Keep the fines and dust to a minimum; Consider if feedstuffs will have sorting/settling issues that may lead to inconsistent intakes and nutrient balance; Avoid adding excessive moisture (i.e. liquid molasses or ear corn that is not dry) as it can lead to caking in feeders; Avoid non-protein nitrogen sources; Avoid excessive roughage products such as cottonseed hulls that could cause bridging and separation; When starting to creep, limit the amount placed in feeder and frequently monitor it; During humid weather, consider more frequent filling to avoid caking; and Keep feeders on a high-traffic use pad or concrete to avoid muddy conditions around feeder.Producers who need more information about creep feeding, or other livestock feeding concerns, should contact their local county extension office.
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Warren County Cooperative Extension Service
https://www.warrencountyextension.com
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https://warrencountyagriculture.com
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