P2524

Creep Feeding Beef Calves

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Preweaning supplementing, or “creep feeding,” is the nutrient supplementation of nursing beef calves. Supplements can include creep feeding with concentrated feeds or creep grazing with high-quality forage. Milk production in beef females typically peaks about 2 months after calving. Milk from a lactating beef cow offers only about half the nutrients that a 3- to 4-month-old calf needs for maximum growth. Calves need extra nutrients to perform to their genetic potential.

Supplements can be delivered through specialized feeders or creep gates that restrict access to calves while excluding adult cattle. This publication explains the use of various feedstuffs, including meal forms mixed with salt to limit intake, and discusses the importance of feed palatability and gradual introduction. It also addresses calf performance benefits such as increased average daily gains and higher weaning weights, and the effects of creep feeding on dam performance and long-term heifer productivity. Additionally, it covers practical considerations for managing supplement intake, creep grazing forage options, and strategies to optimize growth without negatively impacting future reproductive performance.

You can also contact state Extension specialists or your local Extension office for answers to specific questions.

The information given here is for educational purposes only. References to commercial products, trade names, or suppliers are made with the understanding that no endorsement is implied and that no discrimination against other products or suppliers is intended.

Publication 2524 (POD-07-25)

Revised by Brandi Karisch, PhD, Associate Extension/Research Professor, Animal and Dairy Sciences. Written by Jane A. Parish, PhD, Professor and Head, North Mississippi Research and Extension Center; and Justin D. Rhinehart, PhD, former Assistant Extension Professor.