Effect of creep feeding and stocking rate on the productivity of beef cattle grazing grasslands

Abstract

Ninety-six Hereford cow-calf pairs grazing Campo grasslands were used in a 2 × 2 factorial design that evaluated stocking rate (high [H] vs low [L]) and creep feeding (CF; yes or no). Creep-fed calves grazing L had a greater average daily gain (1.07 ± 0.03 kg/d) than CF calves grazing H (0.96 ± 0.03 kg/d; P < 0.05), but L − CF (0.78 ± 0.03 kg/d) and H − CF calves (0.73 ± 0.03 kg/d) had similar average daily gains (P > 0.05). Similarly, L + CF calves were heavier at weaning (172 ± 3 kg) than H + CF calves (160 ± 3 kg), but weaning weights between L − CF (144 ± 3 kg) and H − CF (138 ± 3 kg; P > 0.05) did not differ. Creep-fed calves grazed less (39 ± 10%) than non-supplemented calves (58 ± 15%; P < 0.05). Creep feeding had no effect on milk production, body condition and live weight of the dams, so it had no impact on their reproductive performance. We conclude that CF promotes greater live weight gains and weaning weights of Hereford calves grazing Campo grasslands.

Analysis of the Rumen Microbiota of Beef Calves Supplemented During the Suckling Phase

“…The practice of supplementing beef calves during their suckling stage is commonly known as creep feeding. Throughout the years, applied nutrition research has shown that this kind of supplementation can lead to improvement in calf growth rates (Prichard et al, 1989; Tarr et al, 1994; Viñoles et al, 2013). Previous studies have been conducted to improve the quality of creep feeds, and these include finding the optimum level of protein in such supplements (Lopes et al, 2014), and the addition of trace minerals to it (Moriel and Arthington, 2013); however, the inclusion of exogenous enzymes into creep feeds is something novel.…”

Effect of temporary weaning and creep feeding on calf growth and the reproductive efficiency of their Hereford dams

“…CF had a positive effect in the ADG and consequently in weaning weight in both experiments using two different supplements. Previous work also found these positive results [11,12]. The improvement in ADG of CF calves even with forage allocations that were not limiting for the…”

“…cow-calf pair [18], shows that the nutrient intake and the expression of the genetic potential of calves grazing native grasslands on Basaltic soils are limited [11]. Even if calves had the capacity to select forage of greater quality, as it occurs in lambs, the CP and fibre content of the forage during summer is limiting for optimum growth [22].…”

“…Offering supplementary feed to lactating calves, using a creep feeding (CF) system, could improve the energy balance of the cow [10] and weaning weight of the calves [11]. CF improves the energy balance of the cows through a greater availability of forage [10], since it is not related to a decrease in the suckling frequency of the calves [11]. There are a large number of reports on the positive effect of CF on the live weight of calves, suggesting that…”

Utilization of exogenous enzymes in beef cattle creep feeds

“…Previous studies on applied nutrition have demonstrated that pre-weaning supplementation of beef cattle (or creep feeding) can be a great tool for improving calf growth rates and weaning weights (Prichard et al 1989;Tarr et al 1994;Viñoles et al 2013). However, the efficiency by which calves convert creep feeds into body weight (BW) gain may limit the success of this kind of supplementation.…”