FARM STRUCTURES AND BUILDINGS                       

Farm Structures: They are simple erections on the farm site which make farm operations easier and more efficient. Farm structures are common agricultural structures associated with agricultural use such as growing and harvesting crops, and raising livestock. These structures may include:

Barns

Cold storage for crops grown and raised on-site

Riding arenas (riding academies)

Slaughterhouses

Hay or feed storage

Livestock shelter or shade structures

Feed or hay shelter structures

Loafing sheds

Poultry coop

Farm equipment storage

Types of Farm Structures

Farm structures are classified according to their functions and uses.

1. Production Structures  – These are structures that facilitate production processes in the farm. Examples are poultry battery cages, fish ponds, shelters, and rabbit hutches.

2. Structures for Shelter – They are simple farm buildings erected at different points in the farm to provide shelter for rest during heavy rain or when the intensity of the sun is too high. The structures are occasionally used as temporary storage.

3. Processing Structures – These are structures designed and constructed to speed up the processing of farm produce. Examples are smoking houses, shelling and hulling barns erected to accommodate processing machines such as grinding machines, feed mills, and rice mills

4. Storage Structures – These are structures used for storing produce before that are ready for sale or used as inputs in the next planting season e.g. silos, cribs, barns, and rhombus.

5. Utility Structures – These structures include wells, canals, irrigations, and pumping houses.6.Maintenance Structures – These include workshops for maintenance of farm tools and machinery

 Farm Buildings :

These are bigger and more elaborate erections that are designed and constructed to serve different purposes.

Types of Farm Building and Their Uses 

1. Living Houses for the Farmer and Workers – These are houses that provide accommodation for the farmer and his workers. no serious farmer is expected to live outside the farm.

2. Production Houses – Buildings used for production. Examples – poultry houses, hatcheries, and pens. 

3. Storage Houses – These are buildings used for storing farm tools, feeds, chemicals and fertilizers 

4. Special Shelters – These buildings include a milking parlour, sick bay, isolation sheds or quarantine houses, abattoirs, or slaughterhouses

Maintenance of Farm Structures

Farmers need to regularly check on the condition of their buildings to maintain building stability and safety.

*.Repairs should be carried out regularly once wear and tear is noticed

*.Paints should be used for wooden and metal parts of farm structures that are constantly exposed to rain

*.Preservatives should be applied to wood to protect it against insects such as termites