What’s The Difference Between A Grain Bin & A Silo?

If you've spent time driving around Minnesota chances are you've seen farms with silos and grain bins. But what is the difference between the two? Here's the difference between the two.

Grain bins are for dry storage of grains like corn, wheat, and soybeans. You'll often find grain bins near grain elevators, and of course on grain farms. Grain bins are also often made from corrugated steel (so they are shiny) and often are wider than a silo.

A silo holds fermented pasture grass for animal feed. They are often found on farms with cattle or animals that need feed, silos are often found near a barn and are tall and skinny in size. Silos are also air-tight and made from concrete or steel.

In different parts of Minnesota, a silo can sit differently on a farm. For instance, where my wife grew up in the St. Croix River Valley, you'll often see barns with the silo seemingly attached to the 'front' of the barn, whereas in parts of Southern Minnesota, you'll often see the silo sitting several feet from the barn.

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Ask your kids/grandkids if they know the difference!

PS I've never understood the idea behind having a silo 'built-in' versus being some distance away, if you know why you'd want that let me know through the app.