Photo by Brett Davelaar, BD Photography.
leaves, ears and all are cut into fine pieces not over an inch long. It makes a soft pile, damp but not wet and will keep as long as it is not exposed to the air.” The Herald reported an acre of corn could make five to 10 tons of ensilage. The use of silos “is the beginning of a new era in Turner County farming and means more stock on small acreages than is possible any other way,” said the Herald’s editor. At first, silos were built of wood. Because the wood deteriorated, curved concrete blocks were introduced in 1900. Concrete or cement staves for use in silo construction were invented in 1905. Clay tile was introduced in 1908 and metal silos were being advertised by 1910. In the early 1900s, Iowa State College was experimenting with what they called the “Iowa Silo.” The average cost of a 16 x 35-foot silo with a concrete roof was between $300 and $350. The walls of the Iowa Silo were specially designed “hollow, hard-burned” tiles. The blocks were laid horizontally around the silo, and the joints were laid in cement mortar. Steel wire was laid between the courses of tiles for reinforcement. The highly-recognizable blue Harvestore glass-fused-to-steel, low-oxygen silo was introduced in 1949. Harvestore silos increased in popularity through the 1960s into the 1970s. Whether it’s true or not, the expense of Harvestore silos is frequently blamed for bankrupting many farmers during the 1980’s farm crisis. While there are staunch defenders of the brand, a brief online search quickly finds long threads of
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(605) 854-3337 www.DeSmetFarmMutual.com October 2021 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine
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