What is that? Grain Bins and Silos

Many people confuse grain bins with silos, but they are different structures serving different purposes.

• Grain Bins are the large metal structure you see on many farms. They are used to store corn, soybeans, or other grains.
• Grain Bins are larger than silos and have pointed roofs. They are silver when new but turn gray over time.
• Most Silos are made of tan or grey concrete. Some have a round metal roof.
• Many of the Silos you see on today’s farms are no longer in use. As they were built when more farms had cattle.
• Silos were built to hold silage. A wet feed made from chopped green corn plants.
• Harvestore Silos are skinny, blue silos. They are blue because the mineral cobalt is used in the outside coating of glass-infused steel.
• Harvestore Silos are built to be air-tight. Which means outside air cannot dry or spoil the feed.
• Like other Silos, many Harvestore Silos are no longer in use. If you see both cattle and Harvestores on a farm, chances are those silos are still used.
• All Harvestore Silos were (and still are) built in DeKalb, Illinois!

From the DeKalb County Farm Bureau’s July Connections publication.