Finding the perfect size for your agricultural steel building

Planning a new farm building but not sure how big to make it? Getting the size right isn’t just about what you need today – it’s about making sure your building works for years to come. Let’s break down everything you need to think about when working out the dimensions for your new agricultural steel building.

Planning for equipment storage

Today’s farm machinery is bigger than ever, and this needs careful thought when planning your building size. If you’ve got a combine harvester, you’ll need doorways at least 5 metres high. Telescopic handlers need plenty of space to turn around too. Think about not just what you’ve got now, but what machinery you might buy in the future – farming equipment keeps getting bigger, so it’s worth planning ahead.

Working out livestock space

If you’re housing animals, getting the space right is crucial for their welfare and your farm’s productivity. Dairy cows need about 1.25 square metres each just for feeding, plus extra space for moving around. Beef cattle need a bit more – around 2.5-3 square metres per animal. Don’t forget you’ll need extra space for handling systems, feeding areas, and good airflow.

Storage space requirements

Farm storage needs change throughout the year. For grain storage, work out your biggest possible yield and add 20% for growth. As a rule of thumb, you need about 0.8 cubic metres for each tonne of grain. For hay or straw, each standard bale needs roughly 0.5 cubic metres, but remember to leave space between stacks for air to flow.

Looking to the future

Farming is always changing, so when working out your agricultural steel building size, think about:

• Where you want your farm to be in five years
• Any new machinery you might buy
• Changes in what you need to store
• Whether you might increase your livestock
• Extra space you might need for maintenance

Getting the height right

Building height isn’t just about storage – it affects ventilation and temperature too. For natural ventilation to work well, the ridge height should usually be about 1.5 times the building’s width. This helps keep air moving while keeping the building strong and efficient.

Access and loading areas

Good access can make or break a farm building. Make sure you’ve got enough space for your biggest vehicles to turn around, including delivery lorries. Loading bays usually need to be at least 4.5 metres wide and 4.8 metres high to fit most farm vehicles.

Making it work in practice

When planning your building, think about how you’ll use the space:

• Clear spans give you more flexibility
• Door positions affect how easily you can move things around
• Column spacing affects where you can manoeuvre machinery

Planning rules

While you’re working out sizes, check local planning rules. There might be limits on height or how much of your land you can build on. Getting professional advice early can save headaches later.

Get expert help

Working out the perfect size for your farm building isn’t always straightforward. At Robinsons, we’ve been helping farmers get it right for years. We’ll look at how you work, what space you’ve got, and your budget to recommend the best size for your needs.

Ready to get started?