BONUS MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2025

2. 2017 and 2018 – trial conducted in Vredefort, FS: The customer started feeding RumiLick Accelerator as creep feed in 2019 to his commercial beef herd. It was too difficult to split the group into subgroups for the trial, so we decided to compare years. Obtaining accurate data is challenging due to seasonal differences, but the significant improvement in weaning weight indicates that creep feeding can make a difference. A trial conducted in Clocolan under controlled conditions showed similar results: The average daily mass gain (ADG) of the control calves that received no creep feed was 0,658 kg compared to 0,974 kg for the calves that received creep feed. Therefore, the creep feed increased the calves’ average growth by 48%. The weaning weight of the control calves (no creep feed) was 210 kg compared to 263,5 kg for the calves that received creep feed. www.deheus.co.za | 031 785 1575 | infosa@deheus.com Table 2: Impact of creep feeding on calf weaning weights and economic returns: 2018 vs. 2019 2018 control 2019 creep feed Average weaning weights Intake of creep feed (RumiLick Accelerator) Weaner R/kg Feed price Additional growth Additional income Profit per calve Additional profit per animal R6 944,00 Feed cost per calve 217 R32,00 264 126 R32,00 R 4 510,00 R568,26 47 R1 504,00 R7 879,74 R935,74 If you want to learn more about creep feeding for calves, please contact a De Heus technical advisor for expert guidance - https://www.deheus.co.za/ meet-our-team/. www.agribonus.co.za Autumn 2025 BONUS 55