Focus on Beef Issue 5

FOCUS ON BEEF Issue 5 • May 2017

Improve performance with creep feeding Creep-fed calves from spring-calving suckler cows will convert feed to liveweight (LW) more efficiently than at any other time in their life. This makes creep feeding a very cost effective way to maximise weaning weights.

Creep feeding can increase weight gain by 25kg per animal as well as reducing weaning check due to less stress as it familiarises the calf to a different feed. It can also help improve body condition scores (BCS) if cattle are in poor condition and reduce the risk of pneumonia after housing.

When to start creep feeding Timing of creep feeding will depend on calf age, growth potential and grass availability but should normally start six to ten weeks before weaning. In cases where it’s hard to start creep feeding or with very milky cows, starting to creep feed four to six weeks before weaning will still help reduce the weaning check.

Trial results In a recent trial, 51 pedigree Limousin cattle were split into two groups and fed two different creep feeding products. One group of 36 animals were fed ForFarmers Super Grower 16, the remaining 15 cattle were fed a competitor creep feed. The cattle, who were all creep fed from two months old onwards, received 5.3kg per head.

Results There was a 0.1kg difference in DLWG in the group fed ForFarmers Super Grower 16.

• 0.1 x 36 animals (as per the test group) = 3.6kg extra LWG/day.

• 3.6 x 29 (number of days in the trial) = 104.4kg extra LWG. • With a 60% killing out percentage (KOP) = 62.64kg meat deadweight • 62.64kg x 3.55p = £222.37 extra income • Over a 180-day winter = £1380.24 extra value.

• There was also a noticeable difference in the coat health and brighter eyes in the cattle ForFarmers creep feed

Competitor creep feed

Average daily liveweight gain (DLWG)

1.62

1.52

Feed conversion rate (400kg animal & 10kg DM intake)

6.17

6.59

Source: ForFarmers

ForFarmers creep feed range There are three products in the ForFarmers creep feed range, each one designed to meet different farm systems.

• Super Grower 16 • Prime Beef Grower + Levucell • Super Rearer 18 For more information about creep feeding or the ForFarmers range talk to your account manager or call 0845 722 8853

Case study: feed is key to efficiency of South West finishing unit Managing feed to deliver consistent and high daily liveweight gains is key to the ongoing success of one Exeter based beef finishing unit.

Troy Stuart, together with his father and uncle, is a shareholder in the finishing unit at Wood Farm, which operates as part of Stuart Partners Ltd, at Hill Barton Business Park, Exeter finishing between 2,000 and 3,000 beef cattle a year.

“The aim is to keep cattle on site for no more than an average of 90 days,” explains Troy. “This helps to keep feed costs down and ensure an efficient turnover of animals; we don’t want to carry any poor performers for too long. With such a short time on farm, it is key we maintain strong, consistent average daily liveweight gains throughout the cattle.”

Beef cattle are bought in from a range of private sellers and at auction with a focus on selecting animals with the best potential for efficient finishing.

“We buy in cattle based on type and weight with the aim of bringing animals in when we think they are ready for the final finishing stage,” continues Troy.

“Depending on breed, age ranges for bought-in stores are between 18 and 27 months.”

Cattle are weighed on a fortnightly basis to track progress and help identify any poor performers that need to be moved on.

“It is important to get the feed balanced so the cattle start taking in as much feed as possible as soon as they come on the farm and then maintain high feed intakes,” continues Troy. “We feed everything ad lib and find this the most efficient way to run our system.”

As well as plenty of square bale silage which is high in dry matter, cattle are fed with a 14 per cent protein Prime Grade + Levucell Titan from ForFarmers at a rate of around 10-12kg per animal per day.

“The protein content is good for muscle growth and helping with our weight gain targets,” explains Troy.

“The Levucell protected live yeast is also beneficial as it helps stabilise rumen performance and minimise stomach upsets, preventing cattle from stalling and ensuring cattle are getting the maximum nutritional value from their feed.”

“Thanks to careful management of the unit and the right balance of feed, we are able to achieve average daily liveweight gains of around 3kg – despite all the variation in gains between the different breeds we have on site,” concludes Troy. “This is a great result and helps towards the running of an efficient and profitable beef finishing enterprise.”