You probably have at least one outside structure for those with property and any size of agricultural output. These are essential barns to house livestock, produce, feed, supplies and equipment, and they must be strong and stable year-round. They also need to be practical for your operation, so while you may have a large barn on your property, it could be outdated, run down and not laid out to serve you best.
Are you interested in strategically changing your outbuildings to benefit your operation? Upgrading a barn gives you a healthier and more streamlined operation. Implement as many of these tips as you can. See how it affects the quality of your barn, giving you healthy animals, a safe environment to work in and more convenience.
Let’s learn how to upgrade a barn.
Waterproof Your Roof
Farm structures are only as good as their ability to keep out weather, and what can make you and your animals most miserable is rain. This is one of the reasons you have a barn, to begin with.
Your animals can get out of the elements, and you have a dry place to store supplies and equipment. Leaks in your roof can cause more problems with mould and mildew; over time, water intrusion can even weaken the integrity of the entire structure.
A smart upgrade for your barn is your roof, and this can be done in several ways, depending on your time and budget. You can cover over your existing timber with sheathing, protective paper and shingles. A steel roof is even better and goes on fairly quickly, depending on what you work with underneath.
You can also use a sealant to stop the water coming in so it travels down the slope and onto the ground, away from the inside of the barn.
Air Movement
Your animals need to be comfortable to thrive, and not only do you need to address temperature, but you also have to mitigate odours and stall air. This can be achieved by installing exhaust fans in your barn.
The barn exhaust fan provides ventilation for all the animals inside and creates a comfortable climate where they can thrive. They work to remove the stale air and draw in fresh air from open doors and curtain and panel systems.
In the summer, they take out hot air effectively; in the winter, they can circulate warm air with other fan systems. If you are thinking about the best upgrade, this is money well spent.
Better Inside Layout
You need access, storage, and adequate stalls, depending on what you do in your barn. Consider the flow of traffic from the field and see how to set up your animal bunk space, depending on your stock density. There needs to be enough waterers and room for calving and a place to not only store supplies but also for workers to relax on break.
The most important is a big enough feed alleyway to service the stalls. This also makes it easy for wheelbarrows and carts to get around for feeding and cleaning out stalls.
Replace the Floor
Many old barns were constructed with footings, walls and roofs with the earth below to provide the floor. While it is easier to install and manage, along with the ability to absorb liquid, upgrading the floor is a better option. This lets you control your operation’s sanitation requirements, as the animals don’t head outside to use the toilet.
Dirt can be a breeding ground for germs and bacteria, but a good concrete floor makes all the difference for effective cleanup. Once installed, you can use livestock mats on top and bedding is easily moved around on a solid surface like concrete.
Build A Loft
If your barn doesn’t have a loft, you are missing out on valuable square footage. Most barns have high roofs, and this extra space just sits there, ready to be utilized.
A loft can instantly give you more space for several things like:
- Hay
- Equipment
- Office
- Supplies
- Feed
Anything you need to store out of the way can be put up in a loft as long as it will bear the weight. This is also a fairly cheap upgrade that can be done quickly.
Automatic Feeding Systems
Working as a farmer is a full-time job, keeping you on the go from sunrise to far past sunset, especially during harvest or calving. Anything that can speed up your daily duties is a welcome relief and will save you time and labour going forward.
Automatic feeders can be installed in your barn to give your animals access to a fresh food supply and clean water. Once set up, they care for the animals and are easy to clean and maintain. They are also useful for monitoring the health of your stock because you can identify sick animals by the fact that they are not eating.
