Questions About Creep Feeding Calves Don’t Have Simple Answers Says MU Extension Specialist

Contact: Eldon Cole, livestock specialist
Tel: (417) 466-3102
E-mail: colee@missouri.edu

MT. VERNON, Mo. -- When weather patterns follow a dry summer cycle and pastures deteriorate, University of Missouri Extension livestock specialists start getting questions about whether creep feeding nursing calves is worthwhile.

“Honestly, there is not a simple, yes-no, answer to that question. We extension folks have to often say, ‘it depends’ then explain,” said Eldon Cole, a livestock specialist with MU Extension.

Creep feeding is the practice of supplying supplemental feed (usually concentrates) to the nursing calf. Feed is provided in a creep feeder or some type of physical barrier, which prevents cows from having access to the supplemental feed.

Cole notes that feed is not cheap so the payback for the extra 30 to 50 pounds of gain must offset the cost of the extra gain. The amount of feed required to add an extra pound of gain varies from less than five to over 12 pounds.

“The poorer the pasture and the poorer the cows are milking for their calves, the better the conversion rate will be. For years we felt a 7:1 conversion might be a desirable target to help determine when to creep,” said Cole.

First-calf heifers, especially those selected for above average milk EPDs should have a better chance of responding favorably to their calves being creeped. Likewise, old cows that have dropped in milk yield should see their calves respond to creep feed.

Cows running on fescue pasture with endophyte problems would also be candidates to have creep feed available for their calves.

One caution however, creep feeding in unlimited amounts has some negatives. Calves can become too fleshy and buyers may discount them a few dollars per hundred at sale time.

Heifer calves given unlimited creep, tend to be lower milk producers when kept for replacements. The cause is excessive fat deposition in the heifer calf’s udder.

Cole says when pastures allow, it is wise to separate cows with heifer calves from those nursing bulls or steers if creep feeding.

“A limited creep feeding program has merit as the over conditioning problem is reduced, heifers don’t’ get too fleshy and the conversion rate is usually more economical. Many creep feeds are available with intake limiters and low levels, (3 to 10 percent) salt may also be mixed with the concentrate,” said Cole.

Another creep option that some may consider is alfalfa or high quality grass hay. Alfalfa can have over 20 percent crude protein and above 60 percent total digestible nutrients (TDN).

“Most of the grass hays will be lower in nutrient content, but can help boost calf gains. Allowing calves to forward graze in a well-managed grazing system is another alternative,” said Cole.

Cole added that producers on an individual weaning weight evaluation program should be careful to not compare creep feds to non-creep feds. This would give an unfair advantage to the creeped calves.

“Here’s where it’s important to compare the different feed and management groups separately,” said Cole.

For more information on the advisability of creep-feeding, contact any of the MU Extension livestock specialists in southwest Missouri: Eldon Cole in Mt. Vernon, (417) 466-3102, Andy McCorkill in Dallas County at (417) 345-7551, Dr. Patrick Davis in Cedar County at (417) 276-3313 or Logan Wallace in Howell County at (417) 256-2391.

4-H Steer Project Concludes July 29 with in Carthage

Contact: Eldon Cole, livestock specialist
Tel: (417) 466-3102
E-mail: colee@missouri.edu

MT. VERNON, Mo. -- The Lawrence County Steer Project for 4-H Youth will conclude at 6 p.m., July 29 with a program at Cloud’s Meats in Carthage.

The project began with the steers being weighed, graded and discussed on Feb. 2. The ending weights were taken July 21 and slaughtered on July 22. The official feeding period covered 169 days.

The steer’s carcasses will be evaluated on the July 29 by Dr. Bryon Wiegand, meat scientist at the University of Missouri. Measurements will be taken to determine fat thickness, ribeye area and Yield Grade.

Dr. Wiegand will subjectively score each carcass for marbling which determines the steer’s quality grade.

Andy Cloud will process one-half of a carcass and explain where the wholesale and retail cuts come from as part of the program.

“This program is especially designed for youth interested in learning more about real-world beef cattle production and management. Persons interested in learning more are welcome to attend,” said Eldon Cole, livestock specialist with University of Missouri Extension.

For more information contact Lawrence County Extension, 417-466-3102.

2013 Missouri Steer Feedout Ends in Red Ink Again

Eldon Cole, Livestock Specialist
Tel: (417) 466-3102
E-mail: colee@missouri.edu

MT. VERNON, Mo. -- The curtain has come down on the 2012-13 Missouri Steer Feedout with the Finale on June 27 in Mt. Vernon. Participants and other interested cattle producers received the sad news that the average loss per head on the 149 steers that began the program was $227.49 during the feeding phase of their life.

“This was the second Feedout in a row that saw losses exceed $225,” said Eldon Cole, a livestock specialist with University of Missouri Extension.

The November closeout was $225.71 in the hole. The range in the profit/losses went from one steer that actually made $8.42 for the owner, Bart Renkoski, Purdy to a loss of $618.32 for one steer from another consignor.

The large losses can be blamed on a variety of causes. They range from the initial value placed on the steers in November which ran from $135 to $170 per hundred. The feed cost averaged $109.36 per hundred with the total cost of gain $130.45.

Other factors that contributed to the red ink were: two steers died; 25 percent of the calves were individually treated at an average cost of $11.24 per head; six head were Yield Grade 4s; four head had very low marbling scores thus graded Standard; two carcasses weighed less than 550 lbs. Each of these items made profits more elusive.

The least money lost per head for a group was $141.47 on 10 head of Angus-sired steers entered by Jeff Kaal of Verona. They weighed 666 lbs. after the warm-up in the lot in Iowa. They averaged 1219 lbs. when slaughtered. Seven of the ten made low Choice. They were the second high gaining group at 3.52 lbs. per day.

The top rate of gain entry was 6 head from Donald Stuckey, Tunas. They were out of Angus and Simmental bulls.

The 149 steers were all born after January 1, 2012 and made an average daily gain of 3.19 lbs. They weighed 1181 lbs. when slaughtered. Their average fat cover was .42 inch and their ribeye average was 12.5 square inches. The 147 carcasses averaged 59% low Choice or above with 60% having a Yield Grade of 1 & 2.

In addition to the various costs that contributed to the $227 per head loss, the fed cattle marketed remained low throughout the spring.

The Missouri Steer Feedout has been held since 2001 in southwest Iowa as part of the Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity.

“The Feedout is an educational program that gives cow herd owners a chance to get detailed performance and carcass data on individual steers,” said Cole. “This information helps owners make breeding and management decisions that should improve the type of calf they produce. They can learn if their cattle are ready to go for the high-end, quality grade market or if they are more suited to the high yield grade market."

More information on the Feedout program, contact any of the MU Extension livestock specialists in southwest Missouri: Eldon Cole in Mt. Vernon, (417) 466-3102, Andy McCorkill in Dallas County at (417) 345-7551 or Logan Wallace in Howell County at (417) 256-2391.

“Steer Feedout Finale” June 27 in Mt. Vernon Should be Educational for Cattle Producers, Feedout Participants

Contact: Eldon Cole, livestock specialist
Tel: (417) 466-3102
E-mail: colee@missouri.edu

MT. VERNON, Mo. -- The results of the 2012-13 Missouri Steer Feedout Finale will be given publicly at 7 p.m. on June 27 at the University of Missouri Extension Center in the courthouse, Mt. Vernon. The presentation will explain how the different cattle performed during the feedout.

There were 147 head of steers from Missouri in the program. They were fed at Bentley’s East Feedyard, Macedonia, IA as part of the Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity (TCSCF).

“The TCSCF has been in existence 30 years and they feed cattle from the Midwest and southeastern parts of the United States,” said Eldon Cole, a livestock specialist with University of Missouri Extension. “They’ve incorporated a lot of field research with the cattle and the past few years they’ve been comparing the USDA frame and muscle scores put on by the graders from various parts of the country with the actual data obtained at slaughter.”

Darrell Busby, manager of TCSCF and former Iowa State Extension livestock specialist will be at the finale on June 27 to review the study and discuss the Missouri Feedout cattle.

The feedout provides an opportunity for cow-calf producers to see how their calves perform in the feedlot and in the carcass. Data collected and shared with participants include: rate of gain, disposition scores, feed conversion, carcass weight, dressing percent, fat cover, ribeye area, yield grade, quality grade, premiums, discounts, health treatments, feed costs and retail value per days on feed and days of age.

Cole says producers will receive sufficient data to make intelligent decisions regarding breed and sire selections as well as possibly cow culling decisions.

“Even if you did not send steers to Iowa, attendance at the finale presentation on June 27 should be educational. Cow-calf raisers need to stay in close touch with what’s happening at the next steps in their feeders calf’s life, the feedlot and the packing plant,” said Cole.

For more details about the event, contact Eldon Cole at the University of Missouri Extension in Mt. Vernon, 417-466-3102.

Show-Me Select Bred Heifer Sale May 17 Saw Falling Prices

Contact: Eldon Cole, livestock specialist
Tel: (417) 466-3102
E-mail: colee@missouri.edu

MT. VERNON, Mo. -- The Show-Me-Select (SMS) Bred Heifer Sale on May 17 was anything but a runaway according to Eldon Cole, livestock specialist, University of Missouri Extension.

“After the sale, which averaged $1,524 on 283 heifers that sold, everyone was asking why they didn’t bring more?” said Cole. “A couple of months ago folks – including me -- were optimistic about the sale. Feeder cattle were selling well and based on the 11-year average ratio of the number of 550 lb., Medium-Large frame, 1 Muscle steers it takes to buy a bred SMS heifer on average the heifers should be close to $1850.”

Obviously, after the sale and the feeder price compared to the bred SMS heifer price was run, instead of a 2:1 ratio it figured to be 1.8:1. On top of that, the feeder market has not had the normal price rally.

“Right after the sale I asked several folks why there was not more interest and enthusiasm. Most offered a reply,” said Cole. “Some thought the weather impacted the sale, or feed prices, gas prices or even McDonald’s dropping the Angus burger. There are lots of opinions and some have merit while some have less validity.”

Cole says the bottom line is, this was a buyer’s sale and those $1,400 to $1,500 or less heifers will have someone smiling all the way to the bank in the next few years.

The top price of the evening was $2,100 paid by Scott Casey, Eldorado Springs, a repeat buyer. The seller was John Wheeler, Marionville. The 5-head set was Angus-Hereford F1’s. They were AI bred to Hoover Dam, an Angus. Overall the AI bred heifers brought $150 per head more than the ones bred naturally. Wheeler’s 54-head consignment averaged $1,667.

The high consignor average went to Jerry Carnes – Jireh Acres, Diamond. He sold 3 head for $1,900. That lot was also purchased by a repeat buyer, Roger Smithson, Bruner.

The second high consignment came from Jera and Jace Pipkin, Republic a pair of juniors who sold 17 heifers for an average of $1,721. They were a mix of straight Angus and Angus-Hereford cross. They were all AI bred to Connealy Right Answer 746.

Longtime consignor, Quinton Bauer of Verona sold 63 head for an average of $1608. The volume buyer for the sale was Charlie Neidert, Neosho. He purchased 27 head.

For more information, contact any of the MU Extension livestock specialists in southwest Missouri: Eldon Cole in Mt. Vernon, (417) 466-3102, Andy McCorkill in Dallas County at (417) 345-7551 or Logan Wallace in Howell County at (417) 256-2391.