In 2024, fertiliser sheds and multipurpose sheds have emerged as popular farm infrastructure projects. These both provide significant operational and financial benefits to cropping enterprises.
Multipurpose farm sheds, for instance, deliver exceptional value-for-money by offering flexible storage options.
Similarly, on-farm fertiliser sheds help you avoid being impacted by fertiliser price fluctuations and supply disruptions improving operational efficiency and profitability.
A recent project in the central Riverina area capitalises on the advantages of both, using a dual-purpose design that accommodates both fertiliser and machinery storage.
This versatile setup provides storage flexibility which can adapt to market changes, seasonal variations, and shifting operational needs.
Continue reading to learn more about this project, including features like drive-through bays, and see how they contribute to its functionality and efficiency.
Project Overview
Size: 51m (L) x 24m (W) x 7.5m (H) with 8m canopy
Capacity: Stores approx. 700 tonnes of fertiliser.
Try out our storage calculators for fertiliser sheds, grain sheds and hay sheds, here – Storage Calculators.
Build Date: 2024
Location: Mayrung NSW
Download the NSW Farm Shed brochure to learn more about the recent builds across NSW.
Project Details
Thorough project planning is essential for creating a functional design, and this is especially important for a multi-purpose project where you need to address several storage requirements.
This project is a textbook example of a multi-purpose fertiliser storage shed, because it gets the details right.
Below we have listed some of the main features that contribute to this project’s success.
Configuration
The configuration is a winner for several reasons.
Firstly, accessing the fertiliser storage area from the gable end helps provide separation between the two storage areas.
This is an important consideration from a shed hygiene point of view – particularly when fertiliser is involved!
Secondly, the four bay machinery storage area is a cost-effective option that will also be straightforward to extend in the future if needed.
Additionally, both storage areas can easily be repurposed, whether it is using the open bays for hay storage or converting the shed to a dedicated machinery shed and workshop facility – or simply for additional storage space at harvest.
Long & Wide Machinery Access
Sometimes it can be the smaller details that make all the difference.
A standout detail of this multipurpose fertiliser storage shed is actually the machinery storage area.
The combination of two drive-through bays and a 17-metre double bay opening makes storing long and wide machinery very straightforward and keeps it easily accessible.
Tried & Tested Cantilevered Canopy
You can’t go wrong with a cantilevered canopy, and this is a smart way to use one.
Firstly, the canopy provides weather protection for the open drive-through bays. This ensures that you can take advantage of the drive-through function and still be protected from the weather.
The canopy also provides additional length and coverage when storing long machinery in the drive-through bays and can save you having to unhook your trailer or seeder.
It is a cost-effective way to gain additional coverage too. For example, the 24-metre span and an 8-metre canopy provide a combined width of 32 metres. This typically costs less than a standard 30 metre span width.
Another advantage of the canopy is that you can quickly and easily pull in under it for shelter, whether you are unloading a truck, conducting maintenance or if wet weather hits unexpectedly.
Concrete Panels For Corrosion Protection
Concrete panels are essential for effective fertiliser storage – and they are a great addition to multi-use sheds too.
For example, the storage area can be swept out and washed down after cropping and used for machinery storage – or for a grain storage area at harvest.
Movable t-walls are another great way to increase storage flexibility and get the most out of your asset.
For example, T-walls give you more options on what you store in your fertiliser shed, whether it is one bulk product or multiple products.
You can learn more about fertiliser sheds including concrete panels and t-walls in the video below.
Cost-Effective Standard Design
We have already mentioned several details that contribute to a cost-effective design including the configuration and canopy.
One of the main contributors to the cost-effective design is the 8.5 metre bay spacings and the standard 24 metre span.
For example, 8.5 metre bay spacings are a cost-effective option because they use the same number of roof purlins as an 8-metre bay spacing – so essentially you are getting more bang for your buck. They also provide more “wriggle room” when loading and unloading the shed to make your job easier and safer.
The standard span size has the additional advantage of moving through the manufacturing stage faster, which helps shorten project lead times.
You can learn more about the standard span range, here – What Are The Standard Spans For Farm Sheds?
Stormwater System
A farm shed roof presents an excellent opportunity to capture and store stormwater run-off.
For example, with an average annual rainfall in Mayrung of 448mm, more than 73,000 litres could be captured off the shed roof each year.
This shed design uses an Action custom gutter system installed on both sides and each end of the shed. The advantage of this system is that downpipes are not required down the face of the columns, helping to protect the downpipes from machinery damage.
Scroll on to view more of the project details in the gallery below – we have also provided a project price guide which will be helpful if you are planning a similar build.
Multipurpose Fertiliser Storage Shed Price Guide
The cost to build a similar multipurpose fertiliser and machinery storage shed would be approx. $400,000 – $490,000 including GST and installation.
This price guide also includes the concrete slab, concrete panels and the column removal to create a double bay opening.
Multipurpose Fertiliser Storage Shed Gallery
Browse the gallery below for ideas and inspiration for your project.
Useful Resources
Here is a collection of useful resources to help you get your project planning underway.
- Standard Fertiliser Shed Size & Price Guide (PDF Download)
- Multi-Use Farm Sheds: Pros, Cons, Prices & Ideas
- Your Top Farm Shed Questions, Answered
- Featured Project – Versatile Hay Shed With Concrete Panels
We hope this featured project has provided you with food for thought for your multipurpose fertiliser storage shed!
You can find more articles like this here – Articles – or you might be interested in our latest customer stories and videos.
To discuss your farm shed project, simply call us on 1800 687 888 or submit a REQUEST A QUOTE form – we would love to speak with you.
