Grain Storage at Lawton Farms Feedlot

The need for suitable grain storage for a feedlot business prompted the Lawton’s to buy 3 Zipperlock steel buildings. Buying grain at current prices was leaving the Lawton’s at the mercy of grain prices, while having grain storage capacity allowed them to make timely grain buying decisions based on lower prices.

Two Buildings for Bulk Grain Storage
Two buildings, measuring 56' x 100', were initially used for grain storage, but are also used to store farm machinery and vehicles. In the first year, the Lawton’s earned enough money to pay for the two buildings by purchasing barley at a good price. Bill explains, "We purchased barley at $1.35 per bushel for spring delivery. By the time it was delivered in June, barley was selling for $2.25. The difference saved by buying at the right time and being able to store and handle grain wouldn't have been possible without proper grain storage."

One Building for Grain Handling and Aeration

A third grain storage building measuring 56' x 140', is being used to develop an elaborate grain handling system in conjunction with five aerated 10,000 bushel bins. This building features a nine inch drag auger that hangs along the length of the roof, complemented by a full length in-floor drag chain. Between the Zipperlock grain storage building and the bins, a centre-dump and overhead loading system has been constructed. This design allows dried grain from the aerated bins to be easily moved into the Zipperlock grain storage building and back again for loading into trucks. Through this innovative system, over two-thirds of the building can be emptied without touching the grain.

Zipperlock is Price Competitive

For the Lawton’s, buying a Zipperlock was a business decision. "We believe in the bid system," says Bill. "The main thing is to price apples to apples when putting out bids. You have to know what you want and what each company has to offer. Zipperlock was able to meet our specs at the most competitive price.''

High Volume Feedlot

Lawton Farms Ltd., a feedlot company, is best described as an agribusiness. It's all business on this feedlot operated by Bill and George Lawton at Niton Junction - east of Edson, Alberta.

Bill homesteaded here in 1959. He and his brother George shared farming duties while working on the oil rigs to finance their start-up costs. After years of cow/calf farming the brothers began a feedlot business in 1979. Today, between Lawton Farms Ltd. and their association with AJL Farms (a feedlot operated by Bill's son John), they feed out 17,000 to 20,000 head annually. At peak capacity, they feed about forty-five tons of grain daily on their feedlot alone. Consequently, it takes a lot of storage space to keep seventy to ninety days worth of grain on hand. This need for suitable storage led the Lawton’s to purchase three Zipperlock Steel Buildings.

Now, Bill acknowledges that Zipperlock Steel Buildings are also very attractive and require zero maintenance