Effects of weaning age and source of energy on beef calf performance, carcass characteristics, and economics

Angus and Angus × Simmental calves (steers, n = 131; heifers, n = 69) were randomly allotted to 1 of 5 dietary treatments at 2 locations: early-wean starch; early-wean fiber; creep-fed starch; creep-fed fiber; or normal-wean, no-creep control. Early-weaned calves (133 ± 21 d of age) were placed in the feedlot, whereas normal-weaned calves remained with their dams on pasture (2 or 3 replications/location). Creep feed was offered for ad libitum DMI to calves fed creep-fed starch and creep-fed fiber. In the growing phase, early-wean-starch calves had 15% lower DMI and were 13% more efficient than early-wean-fiber calves (P < 0.01). In the finishing phase, creep-fed calves gained 9% more, had 7% lower DMI, and were 16% more efficient (P < 0.01) than early-weaned calves. Control calves were 5% more efficient but spent 19 more days on feed (P < 0.01) than did calves on the other treatments. Marbling score was greater for early-weaned calves when compared with creep-fed calves (586 vs. 500, P < 0.01). Retained-ownership profit was $38.28 greater for the early-wean-fiber treatment than for the early-wean-starch treatment (P = 0.04), $61.47 greater for creep-fed calves than for early-weaned calves (P < 0.01), and $37.89 greater for control (P < 0.01) compared with other treatments. Early weaning and creep feeding increased carcass quality and growing-phase BW gains but reduced profits. Calves fed coproduct feeds during the growing phase achieved similar BW gains and carcass traits as calves fed corn-based diets and were more profitable.