6 Best Corrugated Livestock Feeders For Cattle That Reduce Feed Waste

You’ve seen it happen a hundred times: you fill the feeder, and within an hour, half the grain is on the ground, mixed with mud and manure. That’s not just wasted feed; it’s wasted money and time, two things no hobby farmer has in excess. Choosing the right feeder isn’t about fancy features, but about smart design that keeps feed where it belongs—in your cattle.

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Why Corrugated Feeders Cut Cattle Feed Waste

Corrugation isn’t just for looks; it’s a simple engineering trick that adds incredible strength. Those ridges and grooves create a rigid structure that resists bending and bowing. When a 1,500-pound steer leans against a flat-sided feeder, it can flex, spilling feed over the edge. A corrugated feeder holds its shape, preventing this common source of waste.

This built-in rigidity also discourages cattle from trying to push the feeder around the pasture. A flimsy feeder that moves easily becomes a toy, leading to spills and damage. The solid feel of a corrugated bunk tells an animal to just stand and eat.

Furthermore, the design itself often makes it harder for cattle to sling feed with their noses. The angled sides and defined trough shape encourage them to eat with their heads down, rather than rooting around and tossing grain. It’s a subtle but effective way to change feeding behavior and keep your expensive feed off the ground.

Tarter Galvanized Bunk Feeder: Durable Design

Tarter is a name you see on farms for a reason: their equipment is built to last. Their galvanized bunk feeders are a prime example of a no-nonsense, workhorse design. The galvanization process coats the steel in a layer of zinc, providing excellent protection against rust and corrosion, which is a constant battle in wet, manure-filled environments.

These feeders feature a classic corrugated trough supported by a sturdy frame with rounded legs, often called skids. This design prevents the feeder from sinking into soft ground and makes it easier to drag to a new location if you’re rotationally grazing. The top edges are typically rolled, a crucial safety feature that prevents cuts and scrapes on the animals’ necks as they eat. This is a simple, reliable option for a small herd.

Behlen Country Super-Duty Feeder: Heavy-Gauge

When you see "super-duty," think thick steel. Behlen Country often uses a heavier gauge steel in their feeders, which translates directly to dent and damage resistance. If you have a particularly pushy bull or a group of rowdy yearlings, the extra investment in a heavy-gauge feeder pays off quickly. It’s the difference between a feeder that lasts five years and one that lasts fifteen.

The weight of a heavy-gauge feeder is both a pro and a con. It’s more difficult for cattle to shove around, which is excellent for reducing waste. However, it also means you’ll need a tractor or a couple of strong backs to move it. For a permanent or semi-permanent feeding location, the stability and sheer toughness of a Behlen super-duty model are hard to beat.

Sioux Steel Poly Bunk Feeder for Longevity

Steel isn’t the only game in town. Polyethylene, or "poly," feeders offer a different set of advantages. The biggest one is that poly will not rust. Ever. For farmers in wet climates, this eliminates the primary failure point of many steel feeders. Sioux Steel makes a tough poly liner that’s resistant to damage from both sunlight and animal abuse.

A poly feeder is also significantly lighter than its steel counterpart, making it much easier to move by hand. This is a huge benefit for anyone managing pastures intensively and moving feeding stations frequently. The tradeoff? While durable, poly may not withstand the focused, brute force of a large bull as well as heavy-gauge steel. But for most cow-calf operations, its longevity and ease of handling make it an excellent choice.

Hutchison Western Corral Feeder with Hay Saver

If you’re feeding a mix of grain and chopped hay, you know how easily cattle can pull out mouthfuls and drop half of it. The Hutchison Western feeder tackles this head-on with an integrated "hay saver" rack. This metal grid or series of bars sits over the trough, forcing cattle to eat more deliberately. They have to pull the feed up through the openings, which dramatically reduces their ability to sling it sideways.

This design is a specialized tool. It might be overkill if you’re only feeding pellets or a fine grain mix. But for anyone feeding total mixed rations (TMR) or loose forages, the feed savings can be substantial. It trains better eating habits and ensures more of your carefully prepared ration actually gets consumed.

Applegate Trough Feeder for Younger Livestock

Not all cattle are the same size, and your feeder should reflect that. Applegate often produces trough feeders that are slightly lower to the ground and narrower than standard models. This is a critical consideration when feeding calves or smaller breeds like Dexters. A feeder that’s too tall or wide encourages young animals to try and climb in, which fouls the feed and poses a serious risk of injury.

By providing a feeder that is at a comfortable height, you ensure all animals, including the more timid ones, can eat without stress. The proper size prevents them from having to stretch and lunge for feed, another behavior that contributes to spillage. Matching the feeder to the animal is one of the easiest ways to reduce waste.

Priefert Feeder with V-Bottom for Less Waste

The shape of the trough bottom matters more than you’d think. Many Priefert feeders feature a distinct V-bottom design. This simple change from a flat-bottomed trough uses gravity to its advantage. As cattle eat, the remaining feed naturally funnels down to the center of the V.

This makes it easier for animals to clean up every last bit, reducing the amount of stale, leftover feed that gets wasted. In a flat feeder, grain can get pushed into the corners where it’s hard to reach, eventually becoming moldy and unpalatable. The V-bottom design ensures a "first-in, first-out" flow of feed and simplifies cleanup when you need to wash the bunk out.

Choosing Your Feeder: Size and Material Guide

There’s no single "best" feeder; there’s only the best feeder for your farm. Making the right choice comes down to balancing a few key factors. Think through your specific situation before you buy.

Consider these points:

• Herd Size & Animal Type: How many animals will be eating at once? A good rule of thumb is to provide 24-30 inches of bunk space per mature cow. Are you feeding mature bulls, cows, or young calves? Match the feeder’s height and durability to the stock.
• Material:
  • Galvanized Steel: Strong, heavy, and resists rust well. A great all-around choice for stationary feeding.
  • Heavy-Gauge Steel: The toughest option, ideal for containing aggressive eaters or bulls. Less portable.
  • Poly: Lightweight, rust-proof, and easy to move. Perfect for rotational grazing systems and wet climates.
• Feed Type: Are you feeding only grain, or a mix with hay? A feeder with a hay saver rack is a specialized tool that can pay for itself if you feed a lot of forage.
• Placement & Portability: Will the feeder stay in one place, or will you move it between pastures? Weight and skid design are critical factors. A heavy feeder is stable, but a lighter poly feeder is far more practical for frequent moves.

Ultimately, the goal is to buy a feeder that fits your management style. A stationary feeder in a dry lot has different requirements than one that gets dragged across a pasture every three days. Be realistic about how you’ll use it, and you’ll make a purchase that saves you money for years to come.

A good feeder is a one-time investment that pays dividends every single day. By focusing on durable construction and waste-reducing designs like corrugation and V-bottoms, you turn a major expense into a manageable cost. It’s one of the simplest, most effective changes you can make to improve your farm’s bottom line.