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all over Iowa | Markright is correct - the 5 to 1 is additional feed needed only for the original gain.
University Research and personal experience shows that grain mix based creeps (corn, oats, etc) will convert at 7-8 to 1; complete pellets will convert at 4-6 to 1, and a good intake modifier creep will convert at 3-5 to 1.
Best ways to get the most bang for the buck on creep feed:
1. Don't start too early - good grass does not need supplementation and they won't crave much of it and it can go stale. In a normal year, we would start in early or mid July in the upper Midwest.
2. Don't go too long, or too short - the best response has been for 60-90 days, I'd never go less than 45 and never more than 120. Too short and you don't get enough rumen adaption to properly utilize it all, too long and you will loose efficiency as it becomes a replacement instead of a supplement to grass & milk.
3. Watch consumption - any time calves are eating more than 8# of creep per head per day it's a signal to wean them.
4. Include an ionophore in your creep feed - a very good return on your investment.
5. To get them to start on it quicker, never keep the creep feeder in the pasture. Calves are curious, and when you bring a creep feeder into the pasture they will come and check it out. If the creep feeder has been sitting in the pasture the whole time, they will have checked it out long ago and are slower to check it out again. | |
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payback creep feed
