Steel Barns for Hay Storage
We learned something fascinating recently. There’s no accurate count of how many horses exist in America. This is because the government does not consider them an essential part of daily life, such as dogs and cats might be. It’s incredible, because horses certainly seem like an important part of life, even if they are no longer crowding the streets of busy cities.
Horses have been an integral part of American life since before our country was founded, with native Americans utilizing them long before any of us arrived. And today, they are a central part of the farm, gaming, rodeo, and even mental health industries. If you ask us, that seems pretty integral.
But even without horses, a farm needs an adequate supply of hay for whatever farm life they house. And that hay needs to be stored safely and securely, just as the animals that eat it do. That’s why so many American farmers have used steel barns to satisfy all of their hay storage needs.
Both ranchers and farmers alike rely on hay, and you’ve likely seen piles of it. However, we were surprised to learn how many city dwellers just couldn’t answer, “What is hay?”
Hay is any herbage that can be cut, dried, and served as fodder for animals who graze to chew on. Basically, hay falls into three distinct categories: grass, vegetable, and grain. Grass hays such as Timothy or Orchard feed everything from horses to hamsters. Vegetable, or legume, hays have more protein, and grain hays are an excellent source of fiber.
But the problem is, hay degrades very quickly if not properly stored. In fact, it starts to lose its efficacy the moment it’s cut. And since horses and livestock count on hay for a lot of their dietary needs, this can be a significant issue. Leaving it outside lets moisture collect, spoiling it. Worse, if you live in warm, dry climates, it can even catch fire.
If hay isn’t stored properly, that means rodents and other vermin can quickly gain access. The hamster or rabbit you don’t own shouldn’t be the one eating your hay.
Properly storing your hay obviously saves you a lot of trouble, but it’s not enough to just stack it in any old barn – it must be the right barn. While wooden barns give a nice, rustic aesthetic to your property, they don’t offer the best protection around. They can easily burn down and are more subject to the effects of weathering. As such, if you want to adequately maintain them, they require constant maintenance.
A steel barn is obviously the superior choice for a wide variety of reasons. Since they’re easier to clean, steel buildings require a lot less maintenance than traditional wooden structures. Moisture doesn’t collect on steel, and the protection offered from rain, snow, and lightning remains unchallenged.
Another amazing benefit of steel buildings is that they are not vulnerable to rodents and pests looking for an easy snack. Steel is also no friend of mildew, which is yet another problem with wood. But perhaps the most attractive quality to farmers is their customization, as you never know when you need more storage space.
Those in the farming industry, or just avid horse lovers, know that steel barns are the best way to protect both their animals and their hay supply. Their superior structure and resistance to fire and pests make storing hay safe and straightforward.
With so many options available, we thought we’d save you some time and run through some of the most popular sizes of steel hay storage barns on the market.
The 40X80 is perfect for storing bundles of hay, particularly if you only have a few animals. Its interior is free of columns, making it easy to move around your supply. The reliable strength of steel is ideal for keeping your hay safe.
The 50X100 is even more popular, as its column-free interior is much more spacious, capable of storing a great deal of supply without ever feeling overcrowded. The durability of steel is resistant to fire and pests, which means you’ll always know your hay will be undisturbed until it’s grazing-time.
The 60X100 is one of the top-sellers on the market, with plenty of column-less interior ideal for storing hay, while also leaving a little room for anything else you need to keep secure. Its resistance to fire and pests are unquestionably better than wood for hay.
The 80X100 sells so well because many farmers and ranchers own a lot of animals. The more you have, the more hay you need. And the last thing you want is for it to go deteriorate or find a rat helping himself. Steel’s dependable strength guarantees such things never occur.
As you can see, when it comes to storing hay, nothing beats the dependability and strength of U.S. steel. As the top dealer of U.S. Steel buildings in the nation, the dedicated and experienced building specialists at Steel Carports know the industry well. Our team of experts is available to talk to you about what kind of steel barn would suit your needs best. Save your hay; call Steel Carports today at +1 (833) 647-8335!
Let our experts help you get the steel building you need.
