SECTION K
FEED STORAGE STRUCTURES
CONTENTS
Section Page
K1 FEED STORAGE STRUCTURES K.i
Approximate Corn Silage Storage Capacity of Tower
Silos in Tons (upright Silos at 65 percent moisture) K1.1
Approximate Dry Matter Capacity of Silos in Tons K1.3
Capacity of Silos for 30% Moisture Shelled Corn, In Tons K1.3
Amount of Silage in 2" and 3" Layers in Tower Silos K1.4
Horizontal Silo Capacity, Wet Tons K1.5
Horizontal Silo Capacity, Dry Matter K1.5
Suggested Bunker and Trench Silo Sizes K1.6
Dimensions, Cross‑Sectional Area of Bunker and
Trench Silos and Weight of Silage in 4‑inch
Slice and Per Linear Foot K1.7
Volume of Cylindrical Storage, Per Foot of Depth
(Bushels of Grain) K1.8
Ear Corn Crib Capacities in Bushels per Linear Foot K1.9
Ear Corn Cribs ‑ Recommended Widths K1.10
Approximate Grain Capacities of Semicircular
Building Per Foot of Length K1.10
Approximate Hay Capacity for Semicircular Cross‑
Section Building (Tons Per Foot of Length) K1.10
Approximate Hay Capacity for Straight Sidewall
Storages, Tons Per Foot of Length K1.11
Approximate Storage Space Requirements for Forage
and Bedding Materials K1.12
Bushels of Shelled Corn Remaining From
1000 Bushels of High Moisture Corn if
Dried to 15.5% Moisture Content K1.13
Storage Volumes for Bulk Materials K1.14
Capacities of Hopper Bottom Bins K1.15
SECTION KI
FEED STORAGE STRUCTURES
Table K1.1: Approximate Corn Silage Storage Capacity of Silo in Tons
(upright Silos at 65 percent moisture1)
Silo Silo Diameter (feet)
Height
Feet 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30
20 22.9 34.3 45.8 60.1 77.2 94.4 114.4 134.4 160.2 185.9 211.6
24 31.5 42.9 60.1 77.2 97.2 123.0 148.7 174.5 205.9 237.4 274.6
28 37.2 54.3 74.4 100.1 125.8 151.6 183.0 217.4 257.4 297.4 340.3
32 45.8 65.8 91.5 117.3 148.7 185.9 223.1 266.0 311.7 363.2 414.7
36 54.3 80.1 105.8 137.3 177.3 217.4 263.1 311.7 368.9 429 491.9
40 62.9 91.5 125.8 163.0 205.9 254.5 306.2 363.2 429 494.8 569.1
44 - 105.8 143 185.9 234.5 291.7 351.8 420.4 491.9 572 654.9
48 - 120.1 160.2 211.6 266.0 328.9 400.4 474.8 557.7 646.7 743.6
52 - - 183.0 237.4 300.3 368.9 449.0 532.0 626.3 726.4 832.3
56 - - 203.1 263.2 334.6 411.8 497.6 592.0 695.0 806.5 926.6
60 - - 223.1 291.7 368.9 454.7 549.1 652.1 780.8 888.7 1,021.0
64 - - - - 406.1 497.6 600.6 715 852.3 972.4 1,118.3
68 - - - - 443.3 543.4 652.1 777.9 926.6 1,058.2 1,215.5
72 - - - - - - - 838.0 1,001 1,144 1,309.9
76 - - - - - - - 898.0 1,075.4 1,221.2 1,398.5
80 - - - - - - - 955.2 1,121.1 1,301.3 1,487.2
84 - - - - - - - - 1,206.9 1,387.1 1,573
88 - - - - - - - - 1,278.4 1,472.9 1,653.1
92 - - - - - - - - 1,367.1 1,550.1 1,738.9
96 - - - - - - - - 1,435.7 1,635.9 1,821.8
100 - - - - - - - 1,510.1 1,721.7 1,924.8
Table K1.2: Approximate Dry Matter Capacity of Silos in Tons*
Silo Silo Diameter (feet)
Height
Feet 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30
20 8 12 16 21 27 33 40 47 56 65 74
24 11 15 21 27 34 43 52 61 72 83 96
28 13 19 26 35 44 53 64 76 90 104 119
32 16 23 32 41 52 65 78 93 109 127 145
36 19 28 37 48 62 76 92 109 129 150 172
40 22 32 44 57 72 89 107 127 150 173 199
44 - 37 50 65 82 102 123 147 172 200 229
48 - 42 56 74 93 115 140 166 195 226 260
52 - - 64 83 105 129 157 186 219 254 291
56 - - 71 93 117 144 174 207 243 282 324
60 - - 78 102 129 159 192 228 273 309 357
64 - - - - 142 174 210 250 298 340 391
68 - - - - 155 190 228 272 324 370 425
72 - - - - - - - 293 350 400 458
76 - - - - - - - 314 376 427 489
80 - - - - - - - 334 392 455 520
84 - - - - - - - - 422 485 550
88 - - - - - - - - 447 515 578
92 - - - - - - - - 478 542 608
96 - - - - - - - - 502 572 637
100 - - - - - - - - 528 602 673
* Capacities allow one foot unused depth for settling in silos up to 30 ft. high, and one additional foot for each 10 ft. beyond 30 ft. height.
Tons of moist silage = tons of dry matter times dry matter factor.
Dry matter factor = 100/(100 % moisture
Table K1.3: Capacity of Silos for 30% Moisture Shelled Corn, In Tons*
Silo Silo Diameter (feet)
Height
Feet 10 12 14 16 17 18 20
20 36 52 71 93 105 118 145
22 40 58 79 103 116 130 160
24 44 63 86 112 126 142 175
26 47 68 93 122 138 154 190
28 51 74 100 131 148 166 205
30 55 79 108 141 159 178 220
32 58 84 115 150 169 190 234
34 - 90 122 161 182 202 249
36 - 95 130 169 191 214 264
38 - 101 137 179 202 226 279
40 - 106 144 188 212 238 294
42 - - 152 198 223 250 309
44 - - 159 207 234 263 324
46 - - 166 217 245 275 339
48 - - 74 227 256 287 354
50 - - - 236 266 299 369
52 - - - 246 278 312 385
54 - - - 256 289 324 401
56 - - - 266 300 337 416
58 - - - 276 312 350 432
60 - - - 287 324 363 448
*Tonage will increase approximately 5% with moisture
content from 25 to 35%.
Table K1.4: Amount of Silage in 2" and 3" Layers in Tower Silos*
2" Layer 3" Layer
Inside
Diameter
(Feet) Cu. Ft. Pounds Cu. Ft. Pounds
───────────────────────────────────────────
6 20.0 34 30.0 51
12 18.8 940 28.2 1410
14 25.7 1283 38.5 1925
16 33.5 1675 50.2 2510
18 42.4 2120 63.6 3180
20 52.4 2620 78.5 3930
22 63.4 3170 95.0 4750
24 75.5 3770 113.0 5650
26 88.5 4430 132.5 6645
28 102.5 5125 154.0 7700
30 118.0 5900 176.5 8850
───────────────────────────────────────────
*When silage averages 50 pounds per cubic foot.
Table K1.5: Horizontal Silo Capacity, Wet Tons Per 10 Feet of Length
@ 40 Pounds/Foot3 (Level Full)
Depth
Silo Width
Feet 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96 108 120
14 28 42 56 70 84 98 112 126 140
16 32 48 64 80 96 112 128 144 160
18 36 54 72 90 108 126 144 162 180
20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200
Table K1.6: Horizontal Silo Capacity, Dry Matter Tons Per 10 Feet of Length @ 14 Pounds/Foot3 (Level Full)
Depth Silo Width
Feet 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
50
10 7 10.5 14 17.5 21 24.5 28 31.5 35
12 8.4 12.6 16.8 21 25.2 29.4 33.6 37.8 42
14 9.8 14.7 19.6 24.5 29.4 34.3 39.2 44.1 49
16 11.2 16.8 24.4 28 33.6 39.2 44.8 50.4 56
18 12.6 18.9 25.2 31.5 37.8 44.1 50.4 56.7 63
20 14 21 28 35 42 49 56 63 70
Table K1.7: Suggested Bunker and Trench Silo Sizes*
Silo Length (ft.) For Approximate
Number
Width Feeding Season of: Capacity
of Bottom Top Depth 140 175 210 per Linear Foot
Cows (Feet) (Feet) (Feet) Days Days Days (Tons)
10** 8 11 6 27 34 41 1.0
15 8 11 6 41 51 61 1.0
20 8 12 8 38 48 58 1.4
25 8 12 8 48 60 72 1.4
30 10 14 8 48 60 72 1.7
40 12 16 8 55 69 83 2.0
50 12 16 8 69 86 103 2.0
75 12 16 8 103 129 155 2.0
100 16 20 8 107 134 160 2.5
* Based on settled silage weighing 35 pounds per cubic foot and a daily feeding rate of 35 pounds per cow. An allowance of 10% is made for spoilage and wastage.
** Less than a 3-inch slice removed daily.
Table K1.8: Dimensions, Cross-sectional Area of Bunker and Trench Silos and Weight of Silage in 4-inch Slice and Per Linear Foot1
|
Side Slope Per Foot of Depth (inches) |
Depth |
Bottom Width |
Top Width |
Cross-sectional Area |
Weight of Silage |
||
|
4-Inch Slice |
1-Foot Slice |
||||||
|
|
Feet |
Feet |
Feet |
Inches |
Square Feet |
Pounds |
Pounds |
|
|
4 |
6 |
7 |
0 |
26.0 |
346 |
1040 |
|
|
4 |
10 |
11 |
0 |
42.0 |
560 |
1680 |
|
|
6 |
8 |
9 |
6 |
52.5 |
700 |
2100 |
|
|
6 |
12 |
13 |
6 |
76.5 |
1015 |
3060 |
|
|
8 |
10 |
12 |
0 |
88.0 |
1173 |
3520 |
|
|
8 |
14 |
16 |
0 |
120.0 |
1600 |
4800 |
|
|
10 |
12 |
14 |
6 |
132.5 |
1767 |
5300 |
|
1 1/2 |
10 |
16 |
18 |
6 |
172.5 |
2300 |
6900 |
|
|
4 |
6 |
8 |
0 |
28.0 |
373 |
1120 |
|
|
4 |
10 |
12 |
0 |
44.0 |
587 |
1760 |
|
|
6 |
8 |
11 |
0 |
57.0 |
760 |
2280 |
|
|
6 |
12 |
15 |
0 |
81.0 |
1080 |
3240 |
|
|
8 |
10 |
14 |
0 |
96.0 |
1280 |
3840 |
|
|
8 |
14 |
18 |
0 |
128.0 |
1767 |
5120 |
|
|
10 |
12 |
17 |
0 |
145.0 |
1933 |
5800 |
|
3 |
10 |
16 |
21 |
0 |
185.0 |
2467 |
7400 |
|
|
4 |
6 |
8 |
8 |
29.0 |
387 |
1160 |
|
|
4 |
10 |
12 |
8 |
45.2 |
603 |
1808 |
|
|
6 |
7 |
11 |
0 |
54.0 |
720 |
2160 |
|
|
6 |
12 |
16 |
0 |
84.0 |
1120 |
3360 |
|
|
8 |
10 |
15 |
4 |
102.7 |
1369 |
4180 |
|
|
8 |
14 |
19 |
4 |
134.7 |
1796 |
5388 |
|
|
10 |
12 |
18 |
8 |
153.3 |
2044 |
6132 |
|
4 |
10 |
16 |
22 |
8 |
193.3 |
2577 |
7732 |
1For silage weighing 40 pounds per cubic foot.


Table K1.9: Ear Corn Crib Capacities in Bushels per Linear Foot**
(Based on 2-1/2 cubic feet of ear corn required to yield 1 bushel of shelled corn.)
|
Depth of Corn (in feet) |
Width of Crib in Feet |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
|
5 |
12.00 |
14.00 |
16.00 |
18.00 |
20.00 |
22.00 |
|
6 |
14.40 |
16.80 |
19.20 |
21.60 |
24.00 |
26.40 |
|
7 |
16.80 |
19.60 |
22.40 |
25.20 |
28.00 |
30.80 |
|
8 |
19.20 |
22.40 |
25.60 |
28.80 |
32.00 |
35.20 |
|
9 |
21.60 |
25.20 |
28.80 |
32.40 |
36.00 |
39.60 |
|
10 |
24.00 |
28.00 |
32.00 |
36.00 |
40.00 |
44.00 |
|
11 |
26.40 |
30.80 |
35.20 |
39.60 |
44.00 |
48.40 |
|
12 |
28.80 |
33.60 |
38.40 |
43.20 |
48.00 |
52.80 |
|
13 |
31.20 |
36.40 |
41.60 |
46.80 |
52.00 |
57.20 |
|
14 |
33.60 |
39.20 |
44.80 |
50.40 |
56.00 |
61.60 |
|
15 |
36.00 |
42.00 |
48.00 |
54.00 |
60.00 |
66.00 |
|
16 |
38.40 |
44.80 |
51.20 |
51.20 |
64.00 |
70.40 |
![]()
* The standard weight of 70 pounds of ear corn (or 2-1/2 cubic feet by volume) is usually recognized as being that weight of corn, husked, and on the ear required to yield 56 pounds (1 bushel) of shelled corn. A bushel of shell corn occupies a space of 1-1/4 cubic feet.
EAR CORN CRIBS
Recommended Widths
The width of cribs for ear corn should not be more than 10 feet and preferably 8 feet wide. The depth of corn in a crib may vary up to 16 or 18 feet depending on filling equipment. Corn should not contain more than 20-1/2% moisture when stored or some spoilage may be expected unless mechanical drying is provided.
Table K1.10: Approximate Grain Capacities of Semicircular Building Per Foot of Length
Width Capacity
(Feet) (Bushels)
16 85
20 100
32 250
40 420
Table K1.11: Approximate Hay Capacity for Semicircular Cross-Section Building
(Tons Per Foot of Length)
Building Width
32 Feet 40 Feet
Long hay 2/3 1
Chopped hay 1 1-1/2
Field-baled (twine)* 1-1/3 2
Field-baled (wire, medium-tight) 2 3
Loose straw 2/3 1
Chopped straw 7/8 1-1/8
*Small square bale.
Table K1.12: Approximate Hay Capacity For Straight Side Wall Storages
(Tons Per Foot of Length)
Width 32 ft. Width 36 ft. Width 40 ft.
Height 10 ft. Height 12 ft. Height 14 ft.
Long Hay 0.8 1.1 1.4
Chopped: Long 1.0 1.3 1.6
Short 1.5 2.0 2.5
Field-baled: Twine* 1.6 2.2 2.8
Wire* 2.3 3.2 4.2
Table K1.13: Approximate Storage Space Requirements For Forage and Bedding Materials
|
Material |
lb./cu. ft. |
cu. ft./Ton |
|
Loose hay: |
|
|
|
In shallow mows |
3.5 – 4 |
600 – 500 |
|
In deep mows |
4.5 – 5 |
450 – 400 |
|
Bailed Hay: * |
|
|
|
Field baled |
8 – 14 |
250 – 144 |
|
Ordinary bales |
10 – 15 |
200 – 135 |
|
Tight bales |
12 – 20 |
165 – 100 |
|
Chopped hay: |
|
|
|
Long (2 ½ “ or more) |
5.5 – 8 |
360 – 250 |
|
Short (less than 2 ½”) |
8 – 10 |
250 – 200 |
|
Loose Straw |
3.6 – 4 |
550 – 500 |
|
Bales Straw: * |
|
|
|
Field Bales |
6.6 – 8 |
300 – 250 |
|
Tight Bales |
10 – 13.3 |
200 – 150 |
|
Chopped Straw |
4 – 5 |
500 – 400 |
|
Sawdust |
13 |
155 |
|
Wood shavings, baled |
20 |
100 |
|
Lime |
65 |
31 |
|
Ground phosphate |
75 |
27 |
* Small square bails.
Table K1.14: Bushels of Shelled Corn Remaining From 1000 Bushels of High Moisture Corn if Dried to 15.5% Moisture Content
Percent Bushels Dry at Bushels Dry At
Moisture 15.5% Moisture* 15.5% Moisture**
15.5 1000 995
16 994 989
17 982 977
18 970 965
19 958 953
20 946 941
21 935 930
22 923 918
23 911 906
24 899 894
25 887 882
26 876 871
27 864 859
28 852 847
29 840 835
30 828 823
31 816 811
32 805 800
33 793 788
34 781 776
35 769 764
* Includes weight loss due to moisture removal only.
** Includes weight loss due to moisture removal plus 1/2% weight loss due to loss of dust, chaft, fines, etc.
Table K1.15: Storage Volumes For Bulk Materials
Pounds Cubic
Material Per Cubic Foot* Feet Per Ton*
Alfalfa meal 15 134
Alfalfa, chopped 12 167
Barley meal 28 72
Beet pulp, dried 15 134
Bran 16 125
Brewers grains, dry 15 134
Buckwheat bran 15 134
Buckwheat middlings 23 87
Coconut meal 38 53
Concentrates, typical 45 45
Corn Meal 38 53
Ground earcorn, dry 36 56
Cotton seed meal 38 53
Distillers' grain, dry 15 134
Gluten feed 33 61
Gluten meal 46 44
Hominy meal 28 72
Kafir meal 27 74
Lime 60 33
Linseed meal 23 87
Malt sprouts 15 134
Mixed mill feed (bran & middlings) 15 134
Molasses 78 26
Molasses beet pulp 20 100
Meat scraps 34 59
Oats, ground 20 100
Rice bran 20 100
Salt, fine 50 40
Soybean meal 42 48
Tankage 32 63
Wheat bran 14 143
Wheat feed, mixed 15 134
Wheat, ground 45 45
Wheat middlings (Std.) 20 100
Wheat screenings 27 74
Pellets, mixed feed 40 50
Pellets, gound hay 45 45
*Approximate data, based primarily on California Agricultural Circular 517.
Table K1.16: Capacities of Hopper Bottom Round Bulk Bins
Bin Hopper Overall Volume/ft.
Diameter Angle Height Total of Height**
(Feet) Degrees (Feet) (Feet)* Bushels Ft.* Bu.
Sidedraw:
6 60 15 227 182 28 23
20 368 295
25 510 510
9 60 22 760 611 64 51
26 1,051 815
30 1,270 1,109
Centerdraw:
6 60 10 145 117 28 23
15 286 230
20 428 344
9 60 18 681 547 64 51
22 935 751
26 1,190 955
12 60 24 1,613 1,296 113 91
30 2,292 1,841
36 2,970 2,386
12 45 20 1,493 1,199 113 91
30 2,624 2,108
40 3,755 3,016
15 45 24 2,739 2,200 177 142
36 4,860 3,903
48 6,980 5,607
18 45 24 3,512 2,821 255 204
36 5,268 4,231
48 9,619 7,726
21 45 24 4,191 3,366 346 278
36 8,348 6,705
48 12,504 10,043
* For calculating volume of different height bins, add or subtract from table value.
** Approximate values. Overall height is the distance from ground to roof top and includes 2' of clearance between ground and hopper bottom. Roof at 35o angle. Bin volume includes roof volume.