6 Best Mineral Feeders For Cattle That Reduce Mineral Waste

You’ve seen it happen. A hard rain turns that fresh bag of expensive mineral into a useless, concrete-like clump in the bottom of an open tub. Or maybe a strong gust of wind just blows half of it across the pasture. Wasted mineral isn’t just an annoyance; it’s like watching twenty-dollar bills dissolve in the mud.

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Why Quality Mineral Feeders Reduce Farm Costs

The most obvious cost of a poor mineral setup is the mineral itself. Loose mineral is expensive, and every bit that gets soaked by rain, blown away by wind, or contaminated by manure is money thrown away. A feeder that offers real protection from the elements directly translates to less waste and a lower annual mineral bill.

But the hidden costs are even greater. When cattle can’t or won’t eat the mineral because it’s spoiled, their health suffers. This can lead to lower conception rates, weaker calves, a less effective immune system, and slower weight gain. You end up paying for it later with vet bills or reduced productivity, all because the mineral wasn’t available in a palatable form.

Investing in a quality feeder is an upfront cost, but it pays you back multiple times over. It ensures your herd gets the nutrition it needs, when it needs it. A good feeder isn’t just a container; it’s a tool for herd health management and financial efficiency. Think of it as insurance for your mineral investment and your animals’ well-being.

Tarter Bull Mineral Feeder: Durability on Pasture

When your primary concern is sheer toughness, the Tarter Bull Mineral Feeder is hard to beat. These are typically built from heavy-gauge steel and designed to withstand the abuse of curious, pushy cattle. If you’ve ever had a bull treat a piece of equipment like a toy, you understand the value of something that simply won’t break.

The design is straightforward but effective. A heavy, wide base prevents tipping, and a thick rubber flap covers the mineral pan. Cattle learn quickly to nudge the flap with their nose to get to the mineral. This simple cover does a surprisingly good job of keeping out rain and reducing wind loss.

This feeder is ideal for set-stocked pastures where you place it and leave it for the season. Its weight is its biggest strength and its main drawback. You won’t be moving it around daily, but you also won’t be finding it flipped over and broken in the far corner of the field. It’s a buy-it-once, last-a-lifetime kind of investment.

Behlen Country Poly Feeder: Weather-Resistant

Polyethylene feeders, like those from Behlen, offer a fantastic balance of durability and practicality. Their biggest advantage is that they don’t rust. A steel feeder might be tougher, but scratches in the paint will eventually lead to corrosion, especially with corrosive mineral salts. Poly feeders eliminate that problem entirely.

These feeders are significantly lighter than their steel counterparts, making them a great choice for rotational grazing systems. Moving a 30-pound poly feeder is a lot easier than wrestling with a 100-pound steel one when you’re trying to move the herd quickly. They typically feature a hinged flap or a full hood to protect the mineral from the elements.

While tough, a poly feeder might not stand up to the same level of abuse as a heavy-duty steel model. A particularly aggressive bull could potentially crack it in cold weather. However, for most small herds of cows and calves, a quality poly feeder offers the perfect combination of weather resistance, portability, and longevity.

Sioux Steel Ground Feeder for Easy Herd Access

The Sioux Steel Ground Feeder takes a different approach. Its low-profile, ground-level design makes it incredibly stable. You will never have to worry about this feeder being tipped over by cattle or high winds. It’s built to sit tight to the ground.

This design has a major benefit for herds with mixed ages. Calves can easily access the mineral alongside their mothers, ensuring the entire herd gets the nutrition it needs from an early age. The feeder uses a rubber flap that the animals lift, which keeps the mineral dry and clean.

The main consideration for a ground feeder is placement. You need to put it in a well-drained area to prevent it from sitting in mud and water. If placed in a low-lying, wet spot, it can become a mess and contaminate the mineral. But on a high, dry spot in the pasture, it’s an exceptionally stable and effective option.

Brower Wind Vane Feeder Protects From Elements

For anyone farming in wide-open, windswept country, the Brower Wind Vane Feeder is a game-changer. This feeder has a unique design with a hood that rotates on a central pivot. The "vane" on the back catches the wind, automatically turning the hood to shield the mineral opening from wind and driving rain.

This is arguably the best protection you can get from the elements. While a simple flap keeps out most rain, a horizontal, wind-driven downpour can still get in. The Brower design actively works to block the wind and rain from any direction, drastically reducing waste in harsh climates. Your mineral stays dry and available.

The tradeoff for this superior protection is mechanical complexity. It has moving parts, which means there’s a potential for them to wear out or seize up over time. It requires a bit more maintenance than a simple tub, but the mineral savings in a windy environment can pay for the feeder in a single season.

High Country Plastics Feeder: Portable & Tough

High Country Plastics specializes in feeders that are both lightweight and incredibly durable, making them a favorite for intensive rotational grazers. These feeders are designed from the ground up to be moved frequently and easily. If you’re moving your herd to a new paddock every day or two, this is the kind of feeder you want.

They often feature a low center of gravity and a design that can be easily dragged from one spot to the next without tipping. The poly construction means they are light enough for one person to handle, yet the material is resilient enough to handle bumps, drops, and curious cattle. A secure, often screw-on or tightly sealed lid, keeps mineral safe during transport and in the field.

This feeder prioritizes portability above all else. While its weather protection is very good, it may not be as robust as a heavy wind vane model. But for the farmer whose main challenge is logistics and frequent moves, the convenience and efficiency of a High Country feeder are unmatched.

Applegate Big John Feeder for Large Herds

The Applegate Big John isn’t for the hobby farmer with three cows. This feeder is all about capacity. If you’re running a larger herd of 20 or more animals, constantly refilling small, 50-pound capacity feeders becomes a major chore. The Big John is designed to hold several hundred pounds of mineral at once.

Built from heavy-duty steel, this is a stationary feeder meant to serve a large group of cattle in a single pasture. It features a large hopper that gravity-feeds mineral into a covered trough. This design minimizes your labor by drastically reducing the number of times you need to fill it during a grazing season.

For a small-scale operation, this feeder is complete overkill. But as your herd grows, the time savings become significant. It represents a shift from managing daily needs to managing seasonal needs, which is a crucial step in scaling up your operation efficiently. It’s a solution for when your time becomes more valuable than the cost of a bigger piece of equipment.

Matching a Feeder Type to Your Pasture Setup

There is no single "best" mineral feeder. The right choice depends entirely on your specific operation: your climate, your herd size, and your grazing strategy. The goal is to match the feeder’s strengths to your farm’s challenges.

Start by identifying your biggest source of mineral waste and frustration.

• For frequent pasture rotation: Portability is your top priority. Look at lightweight poly models from High Country or Behlen.
• For rough cattle or set pastures: You need maximum durability. A heavy steel feeder like the Tarter Bull is your best bet.
• For open, windy plains: Unbeatable weather protection is a must. The Brower Wind Vane will pay for itself in saved mineral.
• For herds with young calves: Easy, non-competitive access is crucial. A ground-level feeder like the Sioux Steel ensures everyone gets a turn.
• For larger herds and saving labor: Capacity is key. The Applegate Big John reduces refill trips.

Don’t just buy the cheapest option available. A cheap, open tub that wastes half your mineral is far more expensive in the long run than a well-designed feeder that protects your investment. Analyze your needs, choose the right tool for the job, and watch it improve both your herd’s health and your farm’s bottom line.

Ultimately, choosing a mineral feeder is an active management decision, not a passive purchase. It’s a piece of equipment that works for you every single day to reduce waste, promote animal health, and save you money. By matching the feeder to your specific pasture setup, you turn a simple expense into a smart, productive investment.