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Creep grazing calves in front of cows is a good way to increase liveweight gain going into autumn. It also helps break the cow and calf bond in the run-up to weaning.
However, creep grazing is not for everyone and it will test your patience. But when it works, farmers tend to stick with it.
For farmers considering creep grazing for the first time, outlined are five tips to get started.
1. Good electric fencing
Good fencing around the field boundaries is crucial to make creep grazing work. After that, make use of temporary electric fencing wires.
Mains electricity is strongly recommended, as it is better at holding cows back when calves start to creep ahead.
However, mains electricity is not essential. A 12v battery fencer can also work, especially if the unit has a solar panel to maintain charge.
Use good-quality poly wires with six or nine strands to give the best kick from temporary fences. Make sure the fence is not being earthed by vegetation.
2. Start off with a small creep area
Start off small when creep grazing. Set up a temporary fence in one corner of the field or along a headland to get calves used to creeping under wires.
That way, calves are still within sight and smell of cows, keeping them settled and less inclined to break through temporary wires. Calves can also get back to their dam to suck.
Once calves are used to creeping ahead of cows, increase the size of the grazing area in front of the wire.
When using a creep gate, allow calves to creep on to a lane first. Again, that makes it easier to herd calves back to the cow if necessary.
Once they are used to moving ahead and getting back to cows, they can be let into the next paddock to graze.
3. Raising the wire
To let calves creep below electric fences, raise the wire at regular intervals. Ideally, raise the wires at both points where it meets the field boundaries.
If a calf cannot get back to its dam, it is easier to herd animals towards the boundary fence and back under the wire, compared with herding towards a raised point midway along the fence.
To raise the wire, plastic horse posts are ideal. Alternatively, tape two plastic stakes or pig tails together to make one longer post.
4. Meal feeding
Once calves are creeping ahead of cows, it is easy to feed meal in portable troughs that can be moved from paddock to paddock.
Lightweight troughs are easier moved than static ad-lib feeders. Also, with troughs, all calves can access meal at the same time.
If using static ad-lib feeders, place on a central laneway so calves can access from multiple paddocks and eliminate the problems with moving from field to field.
5. Locking calves off cows pre-weaning
As weaning approaches, creep grazing can break the cow and calf bond. Add a second strand of wire to the creep fence to lock calves off cows during the day.
Allow calves back to the cows in the evening to suck, then lock animals away from their dam the following morning.
It won’t be for everyone. But when it works, it helps take a lot of the stress out of the weaning process.
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