Small family farms and large-scale agricultural operations have at least one thing in common: they can only operate as efficiently as their equipment allows. This is as true of food storage as it is of tractors. Even a fantastic harvest won’t turn a profit if half of it ends up being left in the fields to rot due to inadequate storage. Whether it’s time for an upgrade or just time to think about increasing storage capacity there is one important question to address prior to purchasing new Grain Bins in Oregon: smooth or corrugated?
Smooth sided storage bins have been growing in popularity in recent years, although corrugated bins are still widely used as well. The main advantage of choosing smooth sided bins over corrugated is flexibility. Smooth walled bins are easy to clean out between seasons and can be used to store a variety of other materials in addition to grain. Proponents commonly use them to store things like seed or fertilizer when they are not needed for grain storage.
Part of this flexibility is due to how much easier it is to clean out the bins between use. Many of the insect pests that plague farmers’ crops rely on the difficult to remove grain dust and other leavings that end up stuck in corrugated bins. Smooth walled bins can be more efficiently cleaned out, helping to remove the pests’ main source of food during the season and driving them out. Similarly, smooth walled bins are easier to treat when insects are present.
These advantages come at a price, though. More traditional corrugated grain bins in Oregon are typically much less expensive to buy new. They are also more durable and can be expected to last decades longer than their smooth walled counterparts when properly cared for. Many farmers come to a compromise between cost and convenience and use both corrugated and smooth walled bins depending on the size of the crop. This is a particularly effective approach given that smooth walled bins can be designated for storage of other materials if they are not needed for grain after a particularly low yield. Call us today to find out about other storage options or inquire about current inventory.
