A straw chopper can transform how you bed and feed cattle through the winter. Chopped straw spreads evenly, soaks up moisture and mixes far better into a total mixed ration (TMR) than long straw pulled straight from the bale.
But “straw chopper” covers several very different machines, from simple bedding blowers to heavy-duty tub grinders and bale processors. This guide explains how each one works, what chop length and throughput you need, and how to choose the right machine for your herd.
Why chop straw for cattle?
Long straw is awkward to handle, spreads unevenly and can be sorted by cattle when it goes into a ration. Chopping it solves most of those problems at once.
In a TMR, chopped straw for cattle adds structural fibre that supports rumen health, and the shorter length makes it harder for stock to pick out the tastier parts of the mix. In the shed, chopped straw bedding covers the floor more evenly, absorbs liquid well and is easier to muck out.
There are also storage and labour gains. Processed straw takes up less room in the feeder wagon, mixes faster and cuts the time spent forking and shaking out bales by hand.
Types of straw chopper explained
The main options fall into three groups. Each suits a different scale of farm and a different balance between bedding and feeding.
Bedding choppers and blowers
These machines take a bale, chop the straw and blow it into the shed. They are quick and save a lot of labour, but most offer limited control over chop length, so they are better suited to bedding than to precise ration work.
Bale processors
Bale processors shred or flail whole round or square bales and spread the material in a windrow or across a pen. They are popular for bedding and for feeding hay or straw along a feed fence. Our range includes Tubeline bale processors, built in Ontario, Canada, alongside Tubeline’s bale wrappers and hay handling equipment.
Combine straw choppers
You may also see the term used for the chopper fitted to the back of a combine harvester. That unit chops straw and spreads it across the field to be incorporated into the soil, rather than baled. It is useful when you want to return organic matter to arable land, but it does not help with bedding or feeding stock, which is where the machines in this guide come in.
Tub grinders
A tub grinder is the most versatile straw chopper for mixed bedding and feeding. Whole bales go into a rotating tub, a hammer mill breaks the straw down, and the material passes through a screen that sets the final chop length. Because the screen controls particle size, a tub grinder can produce consistent material for a TMR as well as for bedding.
Chop length and feed quality
Chop length is the setting that matters most for feeding. Straw that is too long can be sorted out by cattle, while very short material may not give the structural fibre the ration needs. The right length depends on the diet and your stock, so it is worth agreeing a target with your nutritionist.
Bizon tub grinders use interchangeable screens from 3mm to 200mm, so you can set the chop length to match nutritionist recommendations for TMR. The same machine can then switch to a longer chop for bedding.
Straw quality matters as much as the machine. Dry, clean, bright straw chops more evenly and stores better once processed. Damp or mouldy bales can clog screens, create dust and reduce the value of the ration, so keep feeding straw under cover and use the poorer bales for bedding where you can. Consistent bale density also helps any straw chopper run at a steady rate.
AHDB publishes practical guidance on feeding, housing and cattle welfare, and its beef and dairy resources are a useful starting point when planning winter rations.
Throughput, power and running costs
Throughput decides how long processing takes each day. A small herd may only need a few bales chopped a week, while a large unit bedding and feeding every day needs a machine that can keep up without tying up a person for hours.
Bizon offers the B-800, B-1030 and B-1130 to match herd size and throughput, with capacity up to 70 tonnes an hour. Built in the Czech Republic for year-round use and low running costs, they also process biomass for biogas plants, which can add value on mixed farms.
When comparing any straw chopper, look at these points:
- Rated throughput for the bale types you use
- Tractor power and PTO speed required
- How chop length is set and how quickly it can be changed
- Wear parts, such as hammers, knives and screens, and their cost
- Dust control and visibility from the cab
- How easily the machine can be cleaned and serviced
Choosing a straw chopper for your farm
Work through the decision in order, starting with what you need the material for:
- Decide whether the main job is bedding, feeding or both.
- Estimate how many bales you process each week through the housing period.
- Agree a target chop length for your rations with your nutritionist.
- Check that your tractor has the power and PTO speed the machine needs.
- Think about where processing will happen and how material will reach the shed or mixer wagon.
- Compare running costs and wear part prices, not just the purchase price.
If bedding is the only job, a simple bedding straw chopper or bale processor may be enough. If you want a single machine for bedding, rations and possibly biomass, a grinder with interchangeable screens usually gives the best flexibility.
Keeping your machine working all winter
A straw chopper works hardest in the coldest, busiest months, so a breakdown can disrupt both feeding and bedding. Check hammers, knives, belts and bearings before housing starts, and keep common wear parts in stock.
Our parts sourcing team can supply blades and tines, belts, bearings, hoses and PTO shafts for agricultural machinery. Clean out dust and debris regularly, and always stop the PTO and engine before clearing a blockage.
Finding the right straw chopper for your herd
The right straw chopper matches your herd size, your feeding system and the time you have each day. For bedding alone, a simpler machine may do the job. For accurate TMR work and higher throughput, a tub grinder offers more control.
Browse our full agricultural equipment range, or call our Crediton team on +44 (0)1392 984258. You can also send us an enquiry and we will help you compare options for your farm.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a straw chopper and a tub grinder?
A straw chopper is usually a simpler machine that cuts and spreads straw, mainly for bedding. A tub grinder processes whole bales in a rotating tub and passes the material through a screen, giving tighter control over chop length. That makes a tub grinder better suited to preparing straw for feed rations as well as bedding.
What chop length is best for straw in a TMR?
There is no single right answer, because the ideal length depends on the ration, the stock and your nutritionist’s advice. Straw that is too long can be sorted out by cattle, while straw that is too short may reduce rumen function. Choose a machine with adjustable screens or settings so you can match the recommended length.
Does chopped straw make better bedding?
Chopped straw is easier to spread evenly, absorbs moisture well and is easier to handle when you muck out. Many farmers find they use less straw per animal because chopped material covers the floor more efficiently. Results depend on straw quality, shed ventilation and how often you top up the bedding.
Can a tub grinder process material other than straw?
Yes. Many tub grinders handle hay, straw and other dry forage, and some are also used to process biomass. Bizon tub grinders, for example, prepare chopped straw for cattle feed and bedding and also process biomass for biogas plants. Always check what the manufacturer recommends for your material.