A Farmer’s Friend: Agricultural Applications of Concrete

When you think of a farm, you’ll probably imagine large expanses of luscious green fields, livestock grazing and a tractor ploughing. You probably won’t, however, think of concrete - yet concrete plays an integral part in the agricultural industry, being the material of choice amongst farmers when it comes to building agricultural infrastructures.

Thanks to its strength and resistance to weather, bacteria, vermin, weight and manure, concrete is one of the best low maintenance solutions used for many agricultural applications that can withstand the varying demanding characteristics of a farm environment.

Read on below as we discuss some of the different applications in which concrete is used in an agricultural setting.



Barns and Storage Buildings

Barns and other storage buildings are essential to farmers. Whilst many people assume that their sole purpose is to house livestock and offer them protection from the elements and harsh weather conditions, they are actually used for a whole lot more than this.

Storage buildings can be used to store an array of things, including harvested crops (for example, grains, such as barley or wheat, must stay dry under a specific moisture content before they can be sold and to stop them from developing mould), manure and heavy machinery.

As such, concrete makes for an ideal flooring choice in barns and farm buildings, thanks to its strength, durability and hygiene.

Silage Pits

Silage is a type of fodder that is made from grass and other greens that are compacted and stored to undergo fermentation, ready to then be used as feed for animals in the winter. One way these can be stored is in a silage pit - as the name suggests, this is essentially a pit in the ground whereby silage is kept and packed so compactly that any oxygen pockets are eliminated, thus allowing it to ferment rather than spoil.

Concrete is an excellent material for creating a silage pit. It creates a stable structure that is able to withstand the load of silage materials during loading and storing, whilst protecting it from the elements during the period of storage. You can also get specific types of commercial concrete that are able to withstand different acids and chemicals, which are sometimes added to silage to prevent the growth of undesirable microorganisms.

Paving

Farms aren’t all about fields and farm tracks, but paved areas are essential for farm work, also. A farm may require a paved area for various reasons; they may require loading bays, access roads and even pathways or a carpark if they also run a farm shop. In which case, a high-strength concrete is required in order to resist potential damage from heavy machinery and withstand frequent use.

Commercial concrete also has the ability to guard against the effects of low temperatures and de-icing salts in the colder months - both of which will be prevalent, the latter especially so considering that farm work is a constant job that is carried out at all times throughout the year.

Commercial Concrete Suppliers

If you’re in need of commercial concrete to use on your farm, then we’ve got you covered here at Forth Valley Concrete.

We supply a range of ready mix cement suitable for agricultural applications, including C35/C40 for areas where heavy machinery will be used and C40/C45 mixes for the construction of silage and slurry pits.

For more information about the products we offer and to arrange your free quote, don’t hesitate to contact us today.