Benefits of Using a Cattle Cake Feeder
By: Marcus Van Vekerix
Cattle owners are always looking for the most efficient and fastest way to feed their livestock, whether that is feeding in a pasture or a yard. It’s all about saving time (time is money!), yet accomplishing the task with minimal waste and manpower.
First off, what is a cattle cake feeder? Cattle cake feeders, also called cube feeders, supplement feeders, or range feeders, are feeders designed to dispense solid feed supplements - commonly referred to as "cake" or "cubes" - to livestock. People often think cake feeders are used just for cattle, however they also work well for feeding sheep, bison, horses, and even deer and elk in the case of wildlife management. Typically, a cake feeder is mounted on a truck, ATV, or UTV, making it easy for ranchers to efficiently distribute feed across pastures without manual handling.
Ranchers’ needs may differ, however the universal benefits for using a cattle cake feeder over other traditional feeding methods are:
1. Efficiency and Time Savings: Mechanized feeders allow for rapid and uniform distribution of feed, significantly reducing the time and labor required compared to manual feeding. This efficiency is particularly beneficial for large-scale operations.
2. Reduced Feed Waste: By dispensing controlled portions directly to the feeding area, cake feeders minimize spillage and prevent feed from being trampled, leading to cost savings.
3. Improved Animal Health and Safety: Feeding from a vehicle-mounted feeder reduces the risk of injury to both livestock and ranchers by preventing crowding and aggressive behavior during feeding times.
4. Versatility: Many cake feeders are designed to handle various feed types, including pellets, grains, and whole cottonseed, accommodating different dietary needs.
If you’re convinced that a cattle cake feeder will benefit your operation, now your decision is where to buy and what kind. There are a number of reputable brands to consider, but to gain further insight I spoke to Joel Schelling, a seasoned cattleman and sales manager with Herd-Boss Feeders.
Schelling offered the following advice, “When picking a cattle cake feeder, you should consider how much cake or cubes you need to feed based on the size of your operation. If you have several hundred head of cattle, you don’t want to stop to refill the feeder multiple times. Frequent refills are frustrating and will cost you valuable time.” Other factors to think about are the type of vehicle that will be used for feeding (tractor, truck, or ATV/UTV), how easy it is to use the feeder, overall durability, and accessories that will make feeding easier. For instance, Herd-Boss offers add-ons like a scale kit, wireless remote, extension kit, and a trailer, which are all important.
Schelling went on to say, “Herd-Boss Feeders have a simple, user-friendly design that doesn’t require overhead bin storage, you can load them with a front-end loader, and replacement parts are common and easy to find. These are all important considerations.”
Investing in a high-quality cattle cake feeder, like Herd-Boss, can enhance the efficiency of your feeding operation, promote better livestock health, and reduce overall feed costs. Look for a feeder with a chain conveyor, which excels over screw conveyors in their ability to handle a wider range of materials and a higher load capacity - and they’re sturdier and require minimal maintenance!
When choosing a feeder or any type of equipment, just be
sure to assess your needs and do your research to ensure you pick the most
suitable brand and model for your operation.
Many Thanks to Marcus and Herdboss for this article. You may contact them via the information below:
Herd-Boss Feeders | Web: herdbossfeeders.com | Email: sales@herdbossfeeders.com | Phone: 712.476.2677