Influence of limited-creep feeding on pre- and postweaning performance of spring-born calves

Authors

C.E. Binns
F.K. Brazle
Gerry L. Kuhl
D.D. Simms
K.O. Zoellner
L.R. Corah

Keywords

Cattlemen's Day, 1989; Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station contribution; no. 89-567-S; Report of progress (Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service); 567; Beef; Limited-creep feeding; Performance; Spring calves

Abstract

Limit-feeding a high protein creep (36% CP) and a high energy creep (16% CP) was compared with no supplementation in a 61-day preweaning trial. Salt was used to limit daily creep intake to 1.5 to 2.0 lb per head. Calves given the limited energy and protein creep feeds outgained (P<.01) the unsupplemented calves by 0.2 lb and 0.3 lb, respectively. Conversion of creep feed consumed to extra gain was 6.7 and 5.3 for the energy and protein creep-fed calves, respectively (salt included). Trucking shrink of the noncreep-fed calves on the day of weaning and shipping was 4.9 lb and 7.0 lb less (P<.05) than that of the energy and protein creep-fed calves, respectively. Postweaning daily gains of the energy creep-fed calves was higher than those of both the protein creep-fed calves (P=.09) and the noncreep-fed calves (P<.01) by 0.3 lb and 0.5 lb, respectively. The energy creep-fed calves consumed more (P<.05) daily dry matter than the protein creep-fed and unsupplemented calves. Little difference was observed in postweaning feed conversion among creep treatments.

Recommended Citation

Binns, C.E.; Brazle, F.K.; Kuhl, Gerry L.; Simms, D.D.; Zoellner, K.O.; and Corah, L.R. (1989) "Influence of limited-creep feeding on pre- and postweaning performance of spring-born calves," Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: Vol. 0: Iss. 1. https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.2279