Farm Structures

Back to: AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE JSS2

Welcome to class!

Last class, we discussed Farm buildings.
In today’s class, we will be talking about Farm structures. We will be discussing the various structures found on a modern farm. Enjoy the class!

 

FARM STRUCTURES

Farm structures are also known as farm buildings. A farm structure is a building or facility built on a farm, especially big farms, and is used for farming operations. There are many types of farm structures used for different purposes. Some are used for the housing of farmers and their families or workers of the farm. Some can be used for crops, livestock or equipment. Below are types of farm structures and their uses.

These structures help increase the efficiency of agricultural production.

Most of the farm production processes are carried out under controlled environment in order to maximize the output. For instance:

1. Animals must be protected from rain, wind or high sunlight intensity in order to keep healthy.
2. ii) Harvested crops must be protected from water, insects, fungi and extremes of temperature

iii) Farm machinery must be protected from rain and dirt to keep depreciation level to a minimum.

Siting

Farm structures must be located in suitable areas for a farmer’s ease of use. Therefore, siting is very important in the construction of farm structures and buildings.

Sitting refers to locating an area where a particular farm structure or building is to be constructed.

1. Farmhouse

A farmhouse is a structure used primarily as a residence for families, farmers, and workers on a farm. It can be connected to a barn sometimes.

2. Barn

A barn is another popular type of farm structure and it is used for more than one purpose. A barn can serve as a shelter for livestock or livestock feeds like hay, grains etc. It can be also used for storage of farm produces, farm supplies, and machinery. There are different types of barns. They are named according to their purpose.

3. A chicken coop or chicken house

A chicken coop or chicken house is a small structure used for keeping chickens especially the female ones. It is built basically to protect them from bad weather and also a place where they can lay their eggs for easy collections. The chickens are not kept in the coop or house all day. The chicken house has a door which allows the chicken to come outside during the day and absorb sunlight. And they sleep in the chicken house at night.

4. A shed

A shed is a simple structure used for storage of equipment or as a workshop.

5. Stable

A stable is a structure used for keeping horses, although it can also be used for keeping some other types of livestock.

6. Silo

A silo is a storage facility for storing of grains such as corn, rice etc. such or silage. Silage is a fermented feed i.e. dried hay or straw for cattle and other livestock. The silo keeps the grains dry and protected from rodents and insects. There are different types of silo such as tower silos, bunker silos, bag silos, concrete stave silos, fabric silos, etc. The most common types of silos used in modern-day farming are the tower, bunker and bag silos.

7. Brooder house

A brooder house is a farm structure used for keeping young livestock especially poultry. This structure is a heated enclosed shelter.

8. Cow-shed

A cowshed can also be referred to as a barn. But it is only designed for the purpose of keeping cows.

 

In our next class, we will be talking about Cultural Practices – PrePlanting Operations. We hope you enjoyed the class?

Should you have any further question, feel free to ask in the comment section below and trust us to respond as soon as possible.