The invention is directed to a vertical feed mixer 10 including a hopper 12 for holding a composition 11 to be mixed that contains strands of feed material. A vertically oriented mixing member 14 is positioned in the hopper 12, wherein the mixing member 14 includes a helical member and a shaft and is rotatable about a vertical axis in a direction to promote an upward flow of the composition 11 to be mixed proximate the shaft 34. The helical member 36 has an outer helical edge 46, a cutting blade 50 at the outer helical edge 46 and a cutout 52 at the outer helical edge 46. The cutout 52 and the cutting blade 50 cooperate with each other to reduce mixing power consumption and improve mixing action.
