BONUS MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2025

Creep feeding for calves George Schoonbee - Junior Product Manager: Extensive Ruminants Creep feeding is the practice of providing supplemental feed to nursing calves. This is usually done using a creep gate, which is large enough for calves to enter the feeding area, but too small to allow cows to pass. A lactating beef cow can supply only 50% of the nutrients a three-to-four- month-old calf needs to maximise growth. Depending on availability and quality, forage may not be able to supply the other 50% of nutrients the calf needs. Due to the extremely efficient feed conversion of young animals, creep feeding is, in most cases, very economical. Creep feed is one of the tools that can simplify processes surrounding female animals on the farm. Firstly, it relieves a lot of pressure on the cow, because the calf does not want to suckle constantly. Secondly, the calf ingests dry matter, which fills the rumen and supplements any nutritional deficiencies. Cows recover faster after calving as they lose less body mass. Their ability to reconceive is also improved. This increases calving percentages on the farm. A calf is monogastric until its rumen develops enough to digest roughage. Creep feed also promotes rumen development. Volatile fatty acid production takes place in the rumen, stimulating the development of papillae. This is beneficial for the calf because it increases the surface area for absorption in the rumen. A better-developed rumen increases the animal’s resistance to weaning shock and ensures better weight gain. Since the rumen develops weight Advantages of creep feeding: 1. Increased average daily gain leads to higher weaning weights. 2. Higher weaning weights allow earlier weaning of calves if needed. 3. Lower weaning age results in higher stocking rates (more animals per hectare). 4. Reduced weaning stress improves overall calf health and growth. 5. Lower coccidiosis due to coccidiostats (ionophores) in creep feed. 6. Improved rumen development enhances feedlot performance. 7. Better cow body condition increases conception rates. 8. Reduced lick intake by cows decreases feed costs. 9. Enhanced meat quality due to improved marbling. earlier, the calf can be weaned sooner, which also benefits the calf when it goes to the feedlot as it adapts faster and performs better. Autumn 2025 BONUS www.agribonus.co.za 52