The feed cost of is calculated via feed price and feed efficiency. $179/ton is 9 cents per pound. If feed conversion is 6 to 1 (which is extremely good for most creep feeds) then the feed cost of gain is 9 x 6 = 54 cents/lb of gain. The first question you should ask yourself is "will these calves be retained after weaning"? If the answer is yes, then it may not pay to creep feed the calves. The data would say that the longer the calves are retained after weaning, the difference in weight between creep-fed and non-creep fed calves at weaning becomes less and less, and if calves are retained and finished, finished weights are similar. If the calves are sold at weaning then go through the following thought process. Data would suggest that after a 100 day creep feeding period, that creep fed calves will weigh about 44 to 50 pounds more than non-creep fed calves. That would mean that creep fed calves are gaining at .44 to .5 pounds per day more than non-creep fed calves. This is probably on the high end because the data would suggest increased ADG of .11 to .60 pounds per day. These extra pounds are not worth market price, they are worth somewhat less than market price. As an example, non-creep fed calves weigh 500 pounds at weaning and, after 100 days of creep feeding, creep fed calves weigh 550 pounds. Let's say 500 pound calves sell for $1.00 per pound and 550 pound calves sell for $.96 per pound. Therefore, the 500 pound calves gross $500 and the 550 pound calves gross $528. The value of the added gain is $.56 (($528-$500)/50 pounds = $.56 per pound) If the calf ate 2.5 pounds of the creep each day then in that 100 day period the calf would eat 250 pounds. Feed to gain would be 5 pounds of creep to 1 pound of calf gain, which is realistic. Creep feed costs $179/ton ($179/2000 pounds = $.0895 per pound of creep) and the calf eats 250 pounds, the feed costs would be $22.375 (250 lb x $.0895 = $22.375). At the prices used, each calf would net $4.625 ($28 - $22.375 = $4.625). Put your own numbers in and do the calculations. The increased ADG and feed conversions that used are probably a little better than average. May be do the calculations using something less than what was used. Some producers have creep fed for a 35 to 45 day period before weaning. This is probably a good way to bunk break the calves and get them ready to eat on their own. Data would suggest less morbidity for these calves because they are ready to eat from a bunk when they are weaned. Seems like a long answer to a short question.

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