Concrete Solutions for Agriculture

Agricultural structures face a range of challenges, from extreme weather to heavy usage to livestock needs. This means any materials used across farms and agriculture need to be strong and durable. Enter concrete.

Concrete is one of the most versatile and long-lasting materials available in agricultural applications, making it a popular choice for constructing livestock housing, watering areas, silage pits or storage sheds.

At 2 Brothers Concrete & Pumping, we have a combined 25 years of experience in producing and pumping concrete for a range of businesses. During this time, we have worked with farmers across the South Coast, providing concrete for their unique needs. We have built up a wealth of knowledge on the needs and challenges faced by the agricultural industry and their usage of concrete.

In this blog, we share everything you need to know about concrete solutions for farmers.

Common Agricultural Applications of Concrete

Concrete isn't normally a material you will first think of when you think of farming, but in reality, it is used in several key facilities across any farm.

Livestock Houses and Barns

Concrete is often used for barn and stable walls and floors as it provides an easy-clean, non-slip surface that animals and humans can easily walk on.

Because the material is easy to wash down, it stops the accumulation of mud and dirt, particularly in wet weather. This improves the hygiene of the area for everyone and all the animals.

Additionally, concrete won't deteriorate under the constant weight and movement of the animals, nor will their waste negatively affect the surface, so you can leave your livestock in the barn without worrying about the floor having issues.

Feed and Watering Areas

Watering and feed areas are known as "heavy-use areas", which often get muddy. The mud can cause issues for the animals themselves but can also lead to the contamination of local water sources.

Concrete pads can be laid to redirect water to vegetation areas, which can help absorb dirty water, keeping water sources clean.

Around feed areas, they provide an easy-to-clean, hard surface for animals to stand on and access their feed, again meaning mess stays localised and can be cleared easily to keep areas sanitary.

Silage Pits and Bunker Floors

Farms need somewhere to store feed and preserve crops.

Concrete is a popular material for these because it is impermeable and hygienic. The material prevents silage from seeping through and contaminating other areas, protecting the environment.

It is also highly durable, so can withstand heavy loads such as loaders and tractors without cracking or deforming. It is also easy to maintain, which helps its longevity.

Finally, it is safe as the surface can provide a grip for the machinery, reducing the risk of machinery slipping while in use.

Storage Sheds and Machinery Workshops

Finally, as well as concrete being great for barns and stables, it is also great for floors and walls of storage sheds or machinery workshops.

Its strength and durability mean it can withstand heavy machinery constantly being used without damage.

The non-slip characteristic also means it is safe and suitable for farm machinery and equipment maintenance.

Benefits of Using Concrete in Agriculture

Reading through the uses of concrete on farms, you will have read some of the benefits of the material. But to make it crystal clear and easy to read, here are some benefits bullet points.

• Durability and strength - it is long-lasting and can withstand heavy foot traffic and machinery.
• Weather resistant - it is resilient against rain, frost and sun, so will stay strong in all weathers.
• Low maintenance - minimal upkeep is needed to keep it performing.
• Hygiene and cleanliness - it is easy to clean, which is essential for animal health and biosecurity on farms.

Types of Concrete Mixes Suitable for Agricultural Use

Concrete isn't a one-size-fits-all material. There are different variations of the mixtures which give the material different characteristics, such as strength (additional ingredients can be added to enhance strength where heavy load-bearing is expected).

• Standard mix - is ideal for flooring and livestock areas
• High-strength mix - useful for machinery areas where heavy loads are expected
• Waterproof and acid-resistant concrete - silage pits and slurry lagoons will need specific characteristics to reduce their impact on the environment

Concrete Maintenance Tips for Farms

Concrete needs very little maintenance for it to stay durable and long-lasting. However, there are a few things you should do to prevent any cracking or issues, not to mention to keep any livestock healthy.

• Cleaning - regularly wash the concrete, especially on livestock and feeding areas, to prevent the build-up of mud and dirt.
• Sealing - apply concrete sealant periodically to increase longevity and to avoid moisture causing any issues.
• Repairing - address any issues such as cracking as soon as possible to avoid water ingress and future problems.

Sustainable Concrete Options for Eco-Friendly Farming

As a farmer, you might be wondering how you can use concrete while reducing your impact on the environment.

Luckily, several concrete solutions are eco-friendly.

• Recycled aggregate concrete - using recycled materials reduces demand for new materials, ideal for eco-conscious farmers.
• Low-carbon cement alternatives - concrete made with alternatives like fly ash or slag reduces environmental impact.
• Permeable concrete - concrete can be permeable, letting water through the surface, which is useful in non-animal areas like access roads.

Trust 2 Brothers for Your Agricultural Concrete

Farms and agricultural businesses often use concrete in a variety of areas because it is durable, strong and easy to clean, creating a hygienic space and infrastructure to look after the environment.

Whether using it for livestock housing, watering areas or storage spaces of feed and machinery, it will last a long time with minimal maintenance.

At 2 Brothers Concrete & Pumping, we are experts at all things concrete. No matter what you need it for, we can provide the right design mix for your needs efficiently.

With our mix-on-site trucks, we offer a cost-effective solution because you will only pay for what you lay. Our volumetric trucks are mobile concrete batching plants, enabling us to mix your specific concrete mix there and then. So, we create as much concrete as you need, meaning no excess and no waste.

If you aren't sure how much concrete you need, don't worry we can help you work it out, but you can give the calculations a go if you want using our calculations guide.

We are a one-stop shop for concrete as we also offer pumping solutions, meaning we can easily get your concrete from our truck to your site; obstacles aren't a problem with our boom and line pumps!

Contact our team to learn more about using our services for your farming concrete needs. Call us on 01489 552737 or complete our online contact form, and we will give you a callback.