Significant agricultural concerns, such as sheep and beef farms, dairy farms and grains farms, require large structures for various reasons. There used to be direct agricultural subsidies in the UK, but they were phased out. They were replaced by subsidies for farmers for cultivating land and implementing practices that will benefit the environment, such as planting trees to harness carbon, planting pollinator-friendly flowers, or restoring peat lands.
Improving efficiency with structural changes
As a result of the phasing out of direct subsidies, farm businesses need to improve their efficiency by making structural changes, such as changing the size and type of buildings for their operations. In addition, most farmers have to contend with ageing infrastructure that hampers their productivity, and many existing facilities no longer fit the current purpose.
The size and height of various older farm buildings are not fit for modern farm equipment. While the steel buildings remain structurally sound, they are operationally obsolete. To improve efficiency, agricultural farms should consider consolidating their storage capacity in centralised, efficient, and sizeable grain storage spaces. It will not only make the grain drying equipment energy-efficient, but it will also ensure food safety.
Precast concrete products for agriculture
Contemporary farms need a diverse range of concrete parts to build fundamental structures. Using precast concrete provides many advantages compared to site-poured concrete construction. As these precast products come in different specifications, it is easy to find the right parts and install them quickly. In addition, these precast concrete products are also durable and manufactured to last more than 50 years.
Your farm may also need livestock buildings, digestate tank bund walls, slurry lagoons, silage clamps, and grain and crop storage. The tensile strength of precast concrete products makes them a good choice for agriculture and farming purposes for the secure storage of harvested products.
Freestanding retaining walls
For example, you can use freestanding retaining walls to allow you to alter your storage layout as needed. Implementing concrete retaining wall construction for your silage clamps and storage spaces for bulk materials and grains is easier. With precast retaining walls, you can have cost-effective, movable storage solutions to segregate your grain produce.
Slurry stores
You can use slurry channels, channel covers, and precast retaining walls when building above or below-ground slurry stores. You must have everything you need for efficient slurry management. The retaining walls will support the external ground and the slurry for below-ground construction. If you are building slurry storage above ground, you have several more options to construct taller structures.
Silage clamps
Dairy farmers need silage clamps to ensure a continuous fodder supply for their livestock. Precast retaining walls are perfect for silage clamp retaining wall construction. The maximum height of existing retaining walls for silage clamps is three metres. However, you can find select manufacturers that can customise the design if you need to build anaerobic digestion plants and larger clamps.
Precast concrete products allow you to choose the right option for your specific requirements. You do not have to manually construct panels, walls, and barriers and wait for them to dry. Instead, you can have the products delivered and opt to have expert help in their installation.
