Whatever your purpose in raising cattle is - for meat, for breeding or for dairy - you need to have them adequately fed; so that your cattle could in turn provide a good turnout. Hence the cattle feeding strategy and procedures are important. Now, left to their own devices, cattle would forage, but what if your ranch doesn't cover hundred of acres for pasture? There is a current debate in the cattle industry regarding cattle feeding. There are advocates of pasture feeding while some promote the benefits of feedlots, where cattle are fed with hay, usually in small amounts, and supplements such as grain and soy. However, most ranchers chose to implement an integrated livestock farming system where cattle equipment such as cattle feeders are used in order to efficiently give food and supplements to cattle. The thing is, feedlots or no feedlots, you would still need to give dietary supplement for your cattle. Cattle need plant protein, especially during the late summer season where there is a drop in plant protein; in which case, you are going to need cattle feeders. Sure, you can use practically any fairly-sized bin you can get your hands on, but if you want production to be more efficient (and to avoid getting your cattle's foot and head caught somewhere), you would need equipment that was built specifically for feeding cattle. Cattle feeders come in different sizes, colors, materials, and of course, prices, ranging from a hundred dollars to a few thousand bucks, with its price depending on the material used and its capacity. There are several types of cattle feeders in the market today. The most common are creep feeders, bale feeders, bunk feeders and bull mineral feeders. Creep feeders are feeding equipment where height adjustment mechanisms are used in order to allow calves to eat while the large animals are securely kept out. Some creep feeders are stationary while others have an ATV function, which is very useful in larger farms. Mobile creep feeders allow ranchers to feed their cattle, practically anywhere, eliminating the need to move a herd in long distances. Bale feeders are cheaper compared to Creep feeders, as these cattle feeders do not have height adjustment mechanisms. Bunk feeders are an excellent choice for farmers intending to use feeding equipment for multiple livestock. Some bunk feeders even come with a liner that you can replace with ease. Bull Feeders, as the name implies are for bulls and are therefore, heavy-duty. Most bull feeders have multiple compartments, require very little maintenance, and are weather resistant. Some even have pre-drilled anchor holes to make it even sturdier. Some cattle feeders, especially the high-end ones come with a vibrating function that makes cattle feeds fluffy and easy-slide lids for fast refilling. Cattle feeders are a must in cattle farming, but just like anything that requires cash, you need to weigh your options. Look up online vendors of cattle feeders and find out what they have for you, and what others have to say about their products.
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