There’s nothing more frustrating than seeing good hay trampled into the mud. For any Aussie farmer, it’s not just a mess—it’s money down the drain. A quality round bale feeder isn't just a bit of steel; it's a smart investment in your farm's bottom line and your animals' wellbeing. Think of it as a simple tool that delivers a serious return by slashing feed costs and making your daily routine that much easier.
We’ve all seen it: a paddock where a perfectly good bale of hay has been turned into bedding. This isn't just an eyesore; it's a direct hit to your pocket. When hay is left on the ground, stock will walk all over it, soil it, and generally make a mess, leaving most of it inedible. Every bit of that wasted feed is lost money and wasted effort.
A well-designed round bale feeder changes the game by lifting the hay off the ground and containing it. This simple move has a massive impact. It keeps the feed away from mud, manure, and moisture, ensuring it stays clean and appealing for your livestock.
The financial hit from wasted hay can be huge, especially when feed prices are high. Studies have shown that feeding out round bales without any kind of feeder can lead to massive losses. In fact, research points to hay wastage of up to 20%, which is about 64 kg lost from an average-sized bale. When you're running a tight budget, that kind of inefficiency just isn't sustainable. You can read more about managing feed in dry times and see how the right gear makes all the difference.
By putting your money into a durable feeder, you make sure almost every kilo of hay you put out actually gets eaten. That means you'll go through fewer bales over the feeding season, which translates directly into real savings.
A quality feeder isn't an expense; it's a tool that pays for itself. By drastically reducing hay waste, it actively puts money back into your farm budget month after month.
The benefits go well beyond your bank account. Keeping feed clean and off the ground is a big win for animal health. Contaminated hay can introduce parasites and bacteria, leading to sickness and costly vet bills.
On top of that, a feeder helps look after your pasture. When hay is concentrated in one spot on the ground, it creates muddy, compacted messes that wreck the soil and take ages to recover. A feeder contains the chaos, and many are easy to shift around, letting you rotate feeding spots to give your paddocks a break.
At Super Rack, we get the challenges of Aussie farming. Our livestock feeders are built tough from heavy-duty, galvanised steel to handle harsh conditions while making sure you get the most out of your feed. With competitive pricing and nationwide delivery, we make it simple to set your farm up for success.
Ready to stop wasting feed and start saving money? Explore our range of durable livestock solutions and find the perfect feeder for your operation.
Choosing a round bale feeder isn't a one-size-fits-all deal. The right choice for your farm comes down to your livestock, your budget, and frankly, how much expensive hay you’re prepared to watch get trampled into the mud. Getting your head around the main designs is the first step to making a smart investment.
Let's break down the most common types you’ll find on farms across Australia.
When you picture a round bale feeder, the classic ring feeder is probably what comes to mind. It’s a simple, effective, and usually affordable design—just a large steel ring that goes around the bale, with slats for the animals to eat through.
They're dead simple to use and move around. You can often just tip one on its side and roll it to a fresh patch of paddock. For anyone currently feeding on the ground, a ring feeder is a massive step up, immediately cutting down on feed being trampled and fouled.
The only real downside is that the classic open-bottom models can still let some hay get pulled out and dropped. Even so, they’re a fantastic starting point for farmers wanting to get feed costs under control without a massive upfront cost.
If slashing hay waste is your number one priority, then a cone feeder is hard to beat. This design uses a cone-shaped basket that holds the hay bale up off the ground, suspended over a trough or base ring. It works like a funnel for hay, keeping the bale centred and forcing livestock to eat what they pull out instead of dropping it.
This clever design dramatically reduces the amount of hay that ends up on the ground. Animals have to reach up into the feeder, and any bits they dislodge just fall back into the trough where they can still be eaten. That efficiency makes cone feeders a brilliant long-term investment.
The diagram below really nails the core benefits an efficient feeder brings to any farm.
It’s pretty clear: less waste directly translates to more money in your pocket and a healthier, better-fed herd.
For those of us farming in areas with heavy rain or blistering sun, a covered feeder adds another layer of protection for your valuable hay. These feeders take a standard ring or cone design and add a solid roof structure over the top.
The benefits are obvious. The cover shields the bale from rain, stopping it from turning into a soggy, mouldy mess your stock won’t touch. It also provides shade, which helps reduce nutrient loss from sun exposure. This keeps the hay in top condition for longer, cutting waste even further and protecting your animals’ health.
While they cost a bit more to begin with, the savings you’ll make by preserving hay quality can make them a very shrewd choice in the long run.
Cradle feeders hold the bale off the ground in a V-shaped frame, giving stock easy access from the sides. They’re often rectangular, which can be a good setup for feeding multiple animals in a line.
Tombstone feeders are a spin on the classic ring feeder, but with tall, rounded vertical bars that look a bit like old-fashioned tombstones. This design is really popular for horses because it helps keep them separated while feeding and stops them from sticking their entire heads inside the feeder.
International data shows that feeding without a feeder can lead to hay waste of around 57%. By simply using a ring feeder, that waste plummets to between 2–19%, depending on the exact design. Feeders like the cone or covered cradle designs have been shown to pay for themselves the fastest—sometimes in under two months.
Here at Super Rack, we offer a tough lineup of feeders built for Aussie conditions. Our heavy-duty galvanised steel construction means they'll stand up to the weather for years to come. Take a look at our durable and efficient Hay Feeder options to find the perfect fit for your farm.
Choosing the right round bale feeder isn't as simple as just grabbing one and dropping it in the paddock. The perfect feeder isn’t some off-the-shelf, one-size-fits-all solution; it's a piece of gear that needs to slot perfectly into your specific operation. Getting this decision right from the get-go means less stress for you, healthier animals, and a much smarter investment for your farm.
Making a quick choice without thinking it through can lead to all sorts of headaches down the track. A feeder that’s wrong for your livestock can be a real safety risk or make it hard for them to even eat. On the other hand, one that doesn’t match your tractor or loader can turn a simple job like dropping in a new bale into a frustrating chore. A bit of thought now saves a lot of trouble later.
The type of animals you're running is the single most important thing to get right. Different animals have different needs, and a feeder built for a herd of Angus cattle just won’t cut it for a mob of sheep or a stable full of horses.
Cattle (Horned vs. Polled): Horned cattle, like your Herefords or Brahmans, need a lot more room to eat without getting into trouble. You’ll want feeders with wider gaps or slanted bars to stop them from getting their heads stuck or injuring each other. For polled (hornless) breeds, this isn't as big of a deal, so you can go for designs with slightly tighter spacing.
Horses: Horses are notoriously rough on equipment and have completely different feeding habits. Tombstone-style feeders with their tall, narrow dividers are brilliant because they stop a dominant horse from hogging the whole bale and, just as importantly, prevent them from getting a leg caught inside. It's also absolutely crucial that any feeder for horses has no sharp edges or points.
Sheep and Goats: Smaller livestock need feeders designed just for them. A standard cattle feeder’s gaps are often big enough for a sheep or goat to climb right into, which is a serious safety hazard. Look for feeders with smaller, more secure openings and a lower height that they can actually reach.
One of the biggest mistakes a farmer can make is trying to use one type of feeder for all animals. Ensuring the design is safe and appropriate for your specific livestock prevents injuries, reduces stress within the herd, and ensures every animal gets a fair go at the feed.
A feeder is only efficient if it actually works with your current setup. Before you pull the trigger on a purchase, have a good think about your daily workflow and the equipment you already have on hand.
The size of your round bales is a key piece of the puzzle. Most Aussie farms are using 4-foot or 5-foot bales, but you need to measure the internal diameter of the feeder to make sure it’s a good fit. A feeder that's too small is impossible to load, while one that’s way too big lets the bale shift and fall apart, which just creates more waste.
Just as important is how you plan to get the hay in there. Are you using a tractor with a front-end loader and a bale spike? Make sure the feeder’s height and design let you easily and safely lift and place the bale inside without wrecking the feeder's frame. Simple ring feeders are often light enough to be lifted and placed over a bale, whereas heavier, more complex designs will need machinery to do the loading.
The weather in Australia is unforgiving. Between the relentless sun and the heavy downpours, farm equipment takes a real beating. That’s why the material and construction of your round bale feeder are non-negotiable.
A painted steel feeder might look good in the catalogue and come with a cheaper price tag, but it’s a short-term fix. The first scratch from the tractor or a solid nudge from a bull will break that paint seal, exposing the steel underneath. Once that happens, rust is inevitable, and the feeder’s structural integrity will quickly go downhill.
This is where hot-dip galvanised steel really proves its worth. This process coats the entire feeder in a layer of molten zinc, which bonds directly to the steel. It creates a tough, resilient barrier that protects against rust and corrosion for years, even in the harshest coastal or high-rainfall areas.
At Super Rack, all our livestock equipment is fully galvanised to make sure it’s built to last. We know a feeder is a long-term investment, and our commitment to top quality and competitive pricing means you get a product that delivers outstanding value and stands up to the demands of Aussie farming. For those looking to create a complete and cohesive livestock management system, our feeders can be paired with our durable portable horse yards to build a safe and efficient environment for your animals.
Getting the most out of your round bale feeder is about more than just its design; where you place it in the paddock is just as crucial. A well-positioned feeder can dramatically improve efficiency, cut down on mud, and make your daily chores that much easier.
Getting the setup right from day one ensures you reap all the benefits of your investment. It's a strategic decision, really. Plonking the feeder in a low-lying, boggy corner of the paddock will quickly create a muddy mess that’s bad for your pasture and your animals' health. A little forward planning, however, creates a clean, effective feeding station that works for you, not against you.
Choosing the right location is the first and most important step. You’re looking for a spot that ticks a few key boxes, ensuring easy access for both your livestock and your machinery while protecting your pasture.
Here’s what to look for:
How you load the bale is just as important as where you put the feeder. A rough loading process can damage both the bale and the feeder itself, leading to more waste. For most heavy-duty feeders, a tractor with a front-end loader and a bale spike is the most efficient way to get the job done.
When loading, aim to place the bale gently into the centre of the feeder. Dropping it from a height can damage the feeder's structure over time and cause the bale to break apart prematurely, defeating the whole purpose of waste reduction. A slow, controlled placement keeps the bale intact and ensures it's distributed evenly for all animals.
Regularly rotating your feeder's location is one of the best things you can do for your pasture health. Shifting it even a few metres every time you put in a new bale prevents severe ground compaction and allows the grass to recover, keeping your paddocks in better condition year-round.
A round bale feeder doesn’t operate in a vacuum; it’s part of your broader livestock management system. For maximum efficiency, think about how it works alongside your other infrastructure. Positioning your feeder strategically can streamline stock movements and make handling a whole lot easier.
For instance, placing a feeder in a location that naturally draws cattle towards your yards can make mustering a simpler, lower-stress job. It’s this kind of integrated thinking that’s key to running a smooth operation. Super Rack’s feeders are designed to work seamlessly with our other solutions—you can learn more about how our expert advice helps create a fully optimised system in our guide to Australian cattle yard design.
With fast, nationwide delivery and a focus on superior quality, Super Rack helps you get your operation running efficiently from the very start.
It's easy to see a new round bale feeder as just another farm expense, but that's the wrong way to look at it. A quality feeder is an investment. While there’s an upfront cost, the real story is how fast it pays for itself and starts putting money back in your pocket.
Let's break down the dollars and cents. The initial price tag on a feeder depends on a couple of things. Material is a big one—a hot-dip galvanised steel feeder costs more at the start than a painted one, but it’ll outlast the cheaper option by years, making it a smarter buy in the long run. The design matters too. A waste-saving cone feeder might be priced higher than a basic ring feeder, but you'll get your money back quicker through serious feed savings.
So, how fast can you expect a return? The maths is surprisingly simple. You just need to weigh up the cost of the feeder against the money you save from slashing hay waste.
Here’s a real-world example. Let's say a round bale costs you $175 AUD. Without a feeder, it's pretty standard to lose 20% or more of that bale to stock trampling it into the mud. That's a straight loss of $35 for every single bale you put out. If you feed just one bale a week, you’re throwing away $140 a month.
Now, imagine you bring in a quality Super Rack feeder that cuts that waste down to just 5%. Suddenly, you're only losing about $8.75 per bale. That means you’re saving an extra $26.25 every time you feed out. That’s a saving of over $100 a month from just one feeder.
This is where the investment really proves its worth. On Australian farms, a single 4×5 round bale can feed between 15 and 19 cows a day. When you're buying bales at around $175 each, feed costs can quickly run into thousands of dollars a week. Making every bit of that hay count is crucial for your bottom line. You can find out more about how farmers are maximising feed efficiency on wmifeeders.com.au.
A feeder costing a few hundred dollars can easily pay for itself within a single feeding season, and often in just a few months. Every dollar you save after that point is pure profit.
By preventing the waste of just one bale per month, a farmer can save over $2,100 annually at current hay prices. This shows how a round bale feeder isn't a cost but a powerful money-saving tool.
This is where Super Rack's approach makes all the difference. We focus on combining very competitive pricing with a superior, heavy-duty galvanised build. This means you get a faster return on your initial investment and a lower total cost of ownership over the feeder's long life—delivering real, practical value for your farm.
A quality round bale feeder is a tough bit of gear built to handle the rigours of farm life, but a little regular care goes a long way. Taking a few moments for simple, practical maintenance will stretch its service life for years to come, ensuring your feeder stays safe for livestock and effective at saving hay.
When maintenance gets overlooked, problems start to creep in. Old, mouldy hay left festering at the bottom can contaminate a fresh bale, posing a real health risk to your animals. Likewise, a bent or broken bar can create a sharp edge, turning a helpful tool into a dangerous hazard. A few minutes of preventative care is far smarter than dealing with an injured animal or shelling out for a premature replacement.
The single most important job is keeping the feeder clean. Before dropping a new bale in, take a minute to clear out any old, wet, or compacted hay from the last one. It’s a quick task that prevents mould and makes sure your stock are always getting fresh, clean feed.
While you're at it, give the feeder a quick once-over. Run your eyes and hands along the bars, paying attention to the joins and high-traffic spots. You’re looking for:
This is where your choice of materials really makes a difference. A standard painted steel feeder will inevitably scratch and chip. Once that happens, the metal is exposed to the elements, and the rusting process kicks off. You’ll find yourself spending more time looking for weak spots.
On the other hand, Super Rack’s hot-dip galvanised feeders are built for minimal fuss. The protective zinc coating isn't just painted on; it's bonded directly to the steel, creating a superior, long-term defence against rust. This robust construction drastically cuts down the maintenance you need to do, giving you a reliable, low-effort tool you can count on for years.
A well-maintained feeder is a safe feeder. Regular inspections for damage not only extend the life of your equipment but are a critical step in preventing avoidable injuries to your valuable livestock.
If you don't feed hay year-round, storing your round bale feeder properly during the off-season will protect it from unnecessary wear and tear.
If you can, get it out of the paddock and under cover in a shed or barn. Shielding it from the constant sun and rain preserves the galvanised coating and keeps it in top nick for the next feeding season. A little care now ensures it’s ready to go the moment you need it.
Got a few more questions before you commit? No worries. Here are some of the most common things Aussie farmers ask when they're weighing up their options for a new round bale feeder. We've kept the answers clear and straight to the point.
The goal is to give you all the info you need to feel confident you're making the right call for your farm and your animals.
This one comes down to the feeder's size and shape. As a general guide, a standard 2-metre ring feeder has enough room for 10-12 adult cattle to get a feed without too much pushing and shoving.
Making sure there's enough space for everyone is key to preventing competition. It means the quieter, more timid animals in your herd still get a proper feed, which keeps the whole mob healthier and more consistent.
Yes, you'll definitely want a purpose-built feeder for smaller stock like sheep and goats. Feeders made for them have smaller, safer openings and a lower height, which is critical for easy access and preventing injuries.
Trying to use a cattle feeder for your small stock is asking for trouble. They can easily get their heads stuck or even climb right inside, which is a major safety hazard and leads to a massive amount of wasted hay. If you're not sure what you need, just ask—we can point you to the right gear for your animals.
Is a galvanised feeder worth the extra cost? Absolutely. In the tough Australian climate, painted steel will inevitably scratch, chip, and rust. A hot-dip galvanised feeder offers superior, long-term rust resistance, making it a far better investment over its extended lifespan.
Most modern feeders are built to be moved around without much fuss. The simple ring feeders can often just be tipped on their side and rolled to a new patch of grass. Many of the other designs are easily picked up and shifted with a tractor’s front-end loader.
Moving your feeder regularly is a great habit to get into. It stops one spot from turning into a muddy mess, saves your pasture from getting compacted, and helps spread the manure around the paddock more evenly.
At Super Rack, we know the practical realities of farming in Australia. We focus on providing high-quality, tough, and well-priced solutions that deliver real value to your operation. With nationwide service and expert advice, we're here to help you get more efficient and improve your bottom line. Check out our full range of livestock and storage gear by visiting our website at https://www.superrack.com.au.
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