With silage season fast approaching we thought it would be a good idea to let you know which concrete products are suitable for construction of a new or renovation of an existing silage pit/clamp.

With the expensive winter behind us owing to recent increases in the cost of feed and concentrates, maybe now is a good time to look at the ways you prepare for next winter by considering how to maximise the potential of the feed you have more control over such as the grass and fodder you conserve, whether for the agricultural, anaerobic digestion or bio-gas sectors.  One possible element worth considering is to assess your current silage pit/s to determine are they adequate and how could they be improved to give better quality storage of fodder and therefore enhance animal performance and consequently return.

Precast or pre-stressed concrete products offer a practical and quick alternative to conventional methods of constructing a new or renovating an existing silage pit.  We can supply three quality products that are suitable; retainer walls, bunker walls and pre-stressed horizontal wall panels, and all can be installed quickly and the pit utilised immediately, as the products will be cured by the time they are delivered, therefore no need to leave to cure on site.

The other option, pre-stressed horizontal panels, again can be used to form either the perimeter walls or for dividing a new or existing silage pit.  The panels on their own, for a comparative size and height, will cost less than the retainer or bunker walls, but generally by the time the steel posts and installation are added, the cost of all three options is more or less the same.

If used to form the perimeter walls of a silage pit, the panels can either be put on the inside face of the steel post, giving a flush finish, which is beneficial when filling or emptying the pit; or inserted into the web of the post. Panels are supplied with galvanised steel fixing bolts and brackets which clip on to the steel posts.

No foundation is required for the panels.  They normally either sit on a steel landing plate fixed to the column or directly onto the floor of the pit.

Panels used for silage pits are generally 150mm (6”) thick, but where the bays are longer or the height is higher than standard, then 200mm (8”) thick panels can be used.