As we all know, hay is in short supply this year due to drought. Feed costs represent 40 to 60% of the total budget for a cattle operation. Of this, hay represents a sizable proportion. Your choice of hay feeder design can significantly influence how much hay is wasted and thus your total feed costs.

Researchers at Oklahoma State compared four common types of hay feeders. These were the modified cone (CONE), the open-bottomed steel ring (RING), polyethylene pipe (POLY) and the sheeted-bottom steel ring (SHEET).  Table 1 (see below) outlines the results. Modified cone hay feeders (See Figure 1) were by far the most efficient means to feed hay to cattle. 

Table 1.  Comparative hay wastage in four hay feeder designs. Oklahoma State University

Figure 1. Example of a cone feeder. According to the Oklahoma State data, this type of hay feeder is by far the most efficient and results in the least amount of waste.

The most popular means to feed hay to cattle are the open-bottomed steel ring feeders (see Figure 2) or even no feeder at all (which has been shown to result in waste in excess of 50%). If you as a producer fall into either of these categories, you can quickly see the money you are leaving on the table. The costs of waste above were calculated assuming a cost of just $70 per 1,200-pound bale. As we all know, with hay in tight supply, prices per bale this fall and winter can easily shoot much higher than this.

Figure 2. Example of an open-bottomed steel ring feeder. Note the wasted hay being trampled all around the feeder. According to the Oklahoma State data, 1/5 of the bale will be wasted using this type of hay feeder.

Investment in cone feeders or cone-inserts onto existing ring feeders will quickly pay for themselves, especially in a year like this. One thing to remember, however; is that cone feeders require a tractor with a front-end loader to place bales into feeders. Those without access to a tractor should consider one of the other hay feeder types as they can be placed over bales by hand.