Creep Feeding for Winter Success

Winter brings many challenges related to feeding. To overcome these challenges, setting a clear goal, creating a strategic plan, and following through can help manage these risks effectively.

Fall calving presents unique challenges compared to spring calving, such as the need to feed more to support lactating cows, addressing calves' nutritional needs, and managing weather-related issues. To ensure the mother cow maintains her body condition, it’s essential to provide high-quality nutrients and consistent forage availability. By supporting the cow’s milk production, we can better meet the growing calf’s nutritional challenges.

Treating our fall herd the same as our spring herd may limit the calf's growth potential. By ensuring the mother cow has adequate feed to maximize her production, we can then prioritize the calf's weight gain. Many fall herds can take advantage of grazing crop stalks or fall/winter pastures, where creep feeding can provide additional benefits.

When grazing on stalks or fall/winter pastures, adequate forage may be available, but is it enough to fully benefit the calves? By optimizing the ruminant microbes in their gut, providing creep feed can give calves a strong start for the upcoming feeding and weaning period. With options like Accuration creep feed and Purina’s intake-modifying technology, you can gradually transition calves while minimizing risk and maximizing profitability.

Contact MKC's feed team for more information on creep feed availability and options for this feeding season, or to learn more.

Article provided by Katelin Hendricks, Scale/Counter Specialist