It is not just for feeding hay but can be used with other rations in cattle fattening operations or on the dairy farm.  Many farmers who use a "Waste-Not" Stockfeeder to keep hay in front of the cattle, even when there is plenty of feed in the form of lush pasture or forage crop, find that the cattle grow much better.

When long fibre is available at all times,  animals can select a more balanced diet and so slow the passage of feed through the rumen.  The animal makes better use of the watery, lush part of the ration and as the rate of passage is slowed, it allows  maximum feed value to be extracted from the feed.  Using the Feeder to keep hay (fibre) in front of them at all times, means the animals are making better use of the pasture part of the ration.

Less Competition

Since there is less competition in the herd for feeding, there is less time and energy wasted in bossing and all the stock get a better chance at the hay.  There is also less needless trampling of the pasture as cattle rush to get their share each time you start the tractor.  Certainly, less kilojoules are expended by placid animals and so those kilojoules stay where they should - in the extra  production!

An Example

In a report from a farmer in Newlyn, Vic., 75 steers were being fattened on pasture, turnips and 3-4 rolls oaten hay per week and he was concerned when half the hay was being wasted.  He sold his first draft of 13 head averaging 432kg per head.  To try and deal with the waste problem, he bought two "Waste-Not" Stockfeeders.  After  putting them to use, he described his cattle as much more placid and he only needed to feed 2 rolls per week.  Thirty -four days later, he sold the second draft at 471kg average weight, which was 39kg heavier than the first draft!

Add Some Grain

Some farmers are finding that they can push cattle along very economically by adding some grain to the feeding program while still using their "Waste-Not" Stockfeeder.  They are adding grain to the hay - whole oats are suitable- by tossing it on top and letting it rattle down through the hay.  The cattle are eating a mixture of hay and grain  and it is a much safer way to add grain to the diet. The addition of hay - long fibre- to the diet  means that the cattle are making much better use of the grain in the ration.  Again, slowing down the passage of the grain increases the absorption of the nutrients from the grain, even if it is not cracked.

Long Fibre is the Real Benefit

The benefits of long fibre in the digestion process are not diminished if the hay is only a small part of the ration.  "Waste-Not" Stockfeeders allow you to provide this important fibre to the balance more economically by reducing waste.