IARN — The building industry continues to deal with supply chain issues coupled with strong demand. The team at Morton Buildings says this makes evaluating farm building infrastructure more important than ever.
Dan Nyberg is training manager for Morton Buildings. He talks about some of the do’s and don’ts of farm infrastructure planning.
“As we head into the new year, first determine if any buildings need to be remodeled or replaced. Realize some older buildings may be too small, and therefore no longer efficient for your operation due to overall building size or door size. Now, expanding a door opening is one option. Adding height is usually very expensive, and if a structure is not tall enough, it probably has too small of a footprint to work well. Caution: Some older buildings may well be depreciated, so consult with your tax adviser about the implications for investing in rebuilds. And as hard as it can be, some inadequate structures should be demolished, especially if there are drawbacks to their existing location.”
“Consider what changes will be coming in your equipment in the next five years. Proper housing for equipment offers two major benefits: First, fewer breakdowns in the field with equipment which has not been exposed to the impact of weather. And second, significantly better trade value when the time comes to upgrade. Now these buildings, it’s not only a question of square footage, but also other factors that impact the overall efficiency of the building – such as door height and width, the interior layout, and energy efficiency.”
Nyberg adds to plan for possible changes in your farm’s personnel.
“Consider the plans that these family members may have. Also, realize many operations are looking for additional revenue sources to support more personnel. Make sure you are considering the necessary infrastructure to support that.”
Visit mortonbuildings.com for more information.
Story courtesy of the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network.
Photo Courtesy of Morton Buildings
