Creep feeding can be an excellent tool for improving the overall weaning weight of your calves. Thus, it can be a good management and economical option for improving your bottom line.
There are many factors to consider when looking at creep feeding, such as calf prices, the price of the feed itself, and the labor you are able to commit to it. Since this is not a one-and-done type of thing, it is something that you will have to look at every year. This reason is because the factors involved, such as market prices, will change from one year to the next.
It is essential to look at the factors that will matter to you because, like many other things that are involved with raising beef cattle, it is not a blanket option. What works for one operation will not always work for another.
So, what are the options that you should look at when deciding to start creep feeding? Here are some things you can look at to determine if it is right for you.
Destocking is a prevalent practice during a drought. Doing this is rarely easy to do and will still cost you most of the time. However, drought is a common consequence of ranching, so it will still need to be made. It is important to include plans for when droughts occur so producers are always prepared.
Creep feeding can be an excellent tool for improving the overall weaning weight of your calves. Thus it can be a good management and economic option for improving your bottom line.
