Effects of Late Gestation Supplementation, Synchronization, and Creep Feeding in a Spring Calving Beef Herd in the Nebraska Sandhills

Authors

Devin Broadhead, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
L. A. Stalker, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Jacki A. Musgrave Musgrave, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Richard N. Funston, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2018

Citation

2018 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. University of Nebraska Extension MP105. Lincoln, NE.

Comments

© 2017 The Board Regents of the University of Nebraska.

Abstract

Supplementation during winter grazing increased cow BW and BCS but had no effect on reproduction or calf performance, thus increasing production costs without increasing returns. Using a CIDR for estrus synchronization in a herd with existing acceptable reproductive performance did not increase cow pregnancy rate or advance calving date. Feeding creep feed to calves is an effective means of increasing weaning BW which resulted in increased live and carcass weight. Under the conditions of this study, when additional feed and price slide for heavier calves was considered, feeding creep feed did not result in added profits.