If you raise grazing animals, erecting a barn that’s dedicated solely for hay storage is an excellent investment. A permanent, stable structure provides the perfect place to keep your herd’s most important staple for months on end. Below are several advantages that this installation provides to your property.

Why Should You Build a Dedicated Hay Barn? 

1. Maintain Nutritional Value

As soon as you cut and store hay, it starts to lose nutritional value. While it still retains nourishment throughout storage, moisture and temperature fluctuations can cause it to deteriorate faster. Eventually the hay will no longer be edible, which means you must resort to other methods for feeding your livestock. While giving your animals fresh hay every day isn’t practical, storing it in a sheltered, well-ventilated steel building will ensure it remains as nutritious as possible. 

2. Prevent Fire

Because it’s so dry, unprotected hay is a significant fire hazard. Whether a cigarette butt or lightning strike ignites a bale, the fire can spread quickly and ruin your supply. By storing the hay in a dedicated barn away from the hustle and bustle of farm life, you can protect it from fire hazards. For added protection, install smart smoke detectors in the building, and hook them up to your phone. This will ensure you receive a notification at the first sign of trouble if an accident does occur.

3. Keep the Elements Away 

A sturdy structure will keep wind, rain, snow, and ice from disturbing the bales, even during strong storms. Plus, with proper ventilation, any humidity that enters the barn will exit before it can condense and form water droplets inside, helping prevent mold and bacteria from growing on the hay. In turn, you prevent livestock from ingesting these substances, keeping them healthy. 

When you’re ready to erect a hay barn on your property, contact Bilt-Rite Buildings. Based in Ashland, MO, this construction contractor specializes in custom metal buildings, including barns. With a history dating back to 1956, they’re proud to build pole buildings that are built to last, whether you need extra storage space for farm equipment or a standalone workshop. Visit the website for more information about their services. Call (573) 657-2418 to request a quote.