Page 7 - MWC 8-10-2023s

The Midwest Cattleman · August 10, 2023 · P7
CREEP GRAZING By Mark Z. Johnson

Let’s re-visit the poten- more cost-effective solution. producers will
tial benefits of creep grazing. Creep grazing programs can use legumes,
While creep feeding, based produce additional calf gains pearl millet, or
on grains, has been studied using forage rather than the sorghum-sudan
in the animal science field traditional grain-based creep grass. During
for many years and quite a diets. There are many ways the cool season
lot of data is available, typi- to adapt this system to each months, annual
cally the question of whether individual situation, but the grasses like rye,
creep feeding is a cost-effec- bottom line is that it must be oats, wheat, or
tive practice comes up. The profitable. ryegrass will
simple answer for commer- Most forages can be used be used. Two
cial cow/calf operations is for successful creep grazing different meth-
“not in most circumstances”. as long as they are high in ods have been
This is particularly true for nutrient quality and readily used to allow
spring calving operations. available. Time of year will calves access with entrance slots 18 inch-
Calf weaning weights can affect which forage is used to creep forage while keep- es wide and place the creep
be increased anywhere from for creep grazing. During the ing cows out. One method is
about 20 to 80 pounds. How- warm season months, most to build a typical creep gate continued on page 12
ever, in most cases, the value
of added weight gain will not
cover the added expenses of WHY ARE WE STILL HERE AFTER MORE THAN 25 YEARS?
creep feeding. Even so, not
all operations make this de-
cision based on the econom-
ics. For example, seedstock
producers may have entirely
different objectives when it
comes to creep feeding. Chief
among those include market-
ing and expression of genetic
potential for growth.
Creep grazing, on the other
hand, has potential to be a

Callaway

Livestock

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On I-70, 4 miles east of
Kingdom City, MO on outer road

573-642-7486

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Feeder Sale
Monday IN OUR SPECIAL

12:30 p.m. SIMMENTAL

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6TH
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Jack Harrison
573-386-2138

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573-386-5150 PHONE: 417-644-2993 - EMAIL: CATTLEMAN@CUTTINGEDGEUS.COM