Made In USA
Hay Nets for Cattle
Cattle waste 40 to 50% of a round bale fed on the ground. Put a hay net with 3 inch holes over the bale, and they waste less than 10%. The bigger holes let cattle eat at their normal pace. You save hay without slowing your herd down.
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The best hay net for cattle is Texas Haynet's Livestock Round Bale Net. It has 3 inch holes, the largest Texas Haynet makes. Cattle pull hay through easily, so the net cuts waste without limiting how much they eat. It fits round bales from 4x4 through 7x7. It works on its own or inside a hay ring or feeder.
Which Hay Net Is Right for Cattle?
Livestock Round Bale Net
Specs: 3" holes · knotted nylon mesh · fits 4x4 through 7x7 round bales
- What it does: Keeps the bale together so cattle eat the hay instead of bedding down in it. The holes are big enough that cattle eat at their normal pace.
- Best for: Cattle, mixed herds on one round bale, and horses with dental problems or poor eyesight.
Shop the Livestock Round Bale Net
"We've noticed that our hay is now lasting at least twice as long with our cattle... Practically zero wasted hay & we aren't tearing up the fields by driving the tractor in as often as we had been."
Deborah O., Livestock Round Bale Net customer
Our nets are made in the USA from UV-resistant knotted nylon. You can load bales with a tractor spear without hurting the net. Every order has a 30-day return or exchange. When a net is done, send it back through our recycling program.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hay Nets for Cattle
Do hay nets work for cattle?
Yes, if the holes are big enough. Put a hay net with 3 inch holes over the bale. Cattle waste 40 to 50% of a round bale fed on the ground. Oklahoma State University research found 45% waste with no feeder. With our Livestock Round Bale Net, they waste less than 10%. Set the netted bale in a hay ring or feeder if you have one, and the net will last longer.
How much hay does a hay net save per cow?
A cow eats about 23 pounds of hay a day. That is just under 8,400 pounds a year. Without a net, about two tons of that goes to waste. With our net, waste drops to less than 10%, under 840 pounds per cow. Oklahoma State figures a $70 bale in an open hay ring loses about $14 of hay. Feed 200 bales in a winter and that is about $2,800. Run your own numbers in our Hay Savings Calculator, or see how long a round bale lasts.
What size holes should a cattle hay net have?
Use 3 inch holes for cattle. Cattle have no top front teeth, so they wrap their tongue around hay to pull it in. A 3 inch hole makes that easy. Small slow feed holes, like the 1.75 inch holes on our horse nets, frustrate cattle and are hard on coarse, stemmy hay. Our Choosing a Hay Net guide covers hole sizes for every animal.
Do I need a hay ring with a cattle hay net?
No. The net works with or without a hay ring, feeder, or cradle. An open ring alone still wastes about 20% of the bale, according to Oklahoma State University. Put the netted bale inside your ring, and cattle can no longer pull out big mouthfuls and drop them. Cone and basket feeders also cut waste, but they cost more and take a loader to move. Our net is light and goes on by hand.
How long does a cattle hay net last?
Our round bale nets normally last 2 to 4 years, sometimes longer. It depends on how many animals use the net and how many days a year you feed hay. The netting is UV-resistant knotted nylon, and a hay ring or feeder keeps it off the ground so it lasts longer. If a spot wears through, our Net Repair Kit fixes it.
Are hay nets safe for cattle?
When used properly, hay nets are a safe and effective feeder for horses and livestock. Use caution with horned animals and animals with ear tags, since horns and tags can catch in the mesh. Check the net often and fix any hole before it grows.
Can horses, goats, and cattle share the same hay net?
Yes, for a mixed herd on one round bale, the 3 inch net works for everyone. It is also a good pick for horses with dental problems or poor eyesight. Use caution with shod horses and small hooves, since holes larger than 1.75 inches can catch a hoof. For a goat-only herd, see our guide to hay nets for goats.
Ready to order? Shop the Livestock Round Bale Net or browse all our Round Bale Hay Nets.
