High-quality feed is more than just a line item in your monthly budget; it is the fundamental fuel for your operation’s success. The feed you provide is a direct investment in your animal's health, longevity, and your own bottom line, from fine-tuned cattle operations to backyard poultry flocks and beloved family pets.
However, that investment begins to lose value the moment feed leaves the mill without proper care and protection. The intermountain environment is often at odds with feed preservation. Spoiled, moldy, or pest-infested feed is a liability. It leads to respiratory illnesses, digestive upsets, wasted money, and lost productivity.
To protect your animals and your investment, you need a livestock feed storage strategy from the mill to the feed bunk.
The Four Pillars of Proper Feed Storage
Extend the shelf life and nutritional potency of your livestock feed and pet food by managing these four key environmental factors.
1. Moisture Control
Moisture is the primary catalyst for feed degradation. High humidity and direct water contact create a breeding ground for mold and harmful bacteria like mycotoxins, which can be fatal to livestock. Moisture also causes clumping, making feed difficult to dispense.
Moisture Control Best Practices:
- Store feed in well-ventilated areas with low humidity.
- Never store feed bags directly on a concrete floor. Concrete is porous and pulls moisture from the ground, which then "wicks” into the bottom of the bag.
- Always use pallets, wooden shelving, or specialized storage stands to maintain airflow underneath the stack.
2. Temperature Stability
Extreme heat is a silent thief of nutrition. High temperatures accelerate the breakdown of essential vitamins and cause the natural fats in the feed to turn rancid. Rancid feed is unpalatable and can cause oxidative stress in animals.
Temperature-Control Best Practices:
- Store feed in a cool, shaded environment.
- Storage areas should be kept between 50°F and 70°F when possible.
- If summer makes your barn swelter, consider moving specialty or pet feed into a climate-controlled area or pantry.
3. Pest Management
Rodents and birds are biological hazards. They literally “eat away” at your profits and carry diseases such as Leptospirosis and Salmonella through their urine and droppings.
Cardboard and woven poly bags are no match for a determined rodent. Invest in feed storage containers and feed storage bins made from thick plastic or galvanized metal containers with tight-sealing lids to protect your feed and your bottom line.
4. Inventory Management (FIFO)
Feed doesn’t last forever. Even in perfect conditions, vitamins begin to degrade after three to six months. The "First-In, First-Out" (FIFO) rule is essential for every producer and pet owner.
FIFO Best Practices:
- Arrange storage so the oldest feed is used first
- Use a permanent marker to label every bag or bin with the purchase date
- Rotate feed regularly to minimize waste and ensure freshness
Livestock Feed Storage Solutions
Large-scale operations like ranches and farms require reliable, scalable solutions to protect a large volume of feed. IFA provides the feed storage solutions necessary to handle everything from bulk grains to specialized poultry pellets.
Bulk and Large-Scale Feed Storage for Livestock
Larger herds require larger amounts of feed. Purchasing in bulk is cost-effective, but it requires proper storage.
Storing livestock feed in totes requires moisture prevention and simplified dispensing. When purchasing feed in totes, it is important to store feed off the ground and in covered or enclosed areas. Use specialized Grain Racks by PTI Stock Yard to keep totes elevated and accessible.
Other options for storing larger pallets of bagged feed and feed totes are railroad ties in a covered shed. Railroad ties elevate feed off the ground, preventing moisture wicking and keeping the feed covered and protected as best as possible.
Keep pest management in mind when storing feed in barns and covered sheds. Find pest management solutions at your local IFA Country Store.
Feed Bunk and Troughs for Safe Livestock Feeding
Protecting feed doesn’t end with storage. Once the feed leaves the bin, the challenge moves to the yard. Use high-quality feed bunks and sheltered troughs to ensure that feed remains off the ground and protected from sudden rain showers. This prevents feed from becoming "sludge" that animals refuse to eat.
Experts at your local IFA Country Store can help you find a feed a feeding solution designed to minimize waste.
Feed Storage Containers: Solutions for Pets and Small Animals
For the dogs, cats, and backyard animals that share our lives, storage is often about maintaining palatability and ensuring that every meal is as nutritious as the first.
Indoor Solutions for Pet Food Storage
Pet kibble is often sprayed with fats and oils to increase nutrient density and appeal. Once a bag is opened, these oils begin to oxidize.
Keep kibble crunchy while keeping pests like ants and pantry moths out. Invest in a dedicated airtight container, a gamma-lid sealing container, or storage options with lid-locking mechanisms to keep feed safe for pets and free from pests.
Feed Storage Bins for Barn-Safe Pet Storage
Galvanized metal cans remain the gold standard for rodent-proofing when storing pet food in a garage or out building. A heavy metal feed storage bin provides you with more options for larger feed storage and fewer rodent breaches.
For supplements, treats, or smaller bags of specialty grain, heavy-duty plastic feed storage containers that are stackable and durable work well for the rigors of barn environments.
Feed Storage Solutions: The IFA Advantage
Proper feed storage is a pillar of animal health and proper management. When you protect your pet and livestock feed from moisture, heat, and pests, you are directly protecting the health of your animals and operational efficiency.
By following the FIFO rule and investing in quality feed storage bins and feed storage containers, every dollar spent on high-quality IFA feed translates into animal performance.
Don’t wait for a mold outbreak or a rodent infestation. Address your storage needs proactively. Visit your local IFA Country Store today to upgrade your feed storage solutions and secure your investment for the season ahead.
Written by Mikyla Bagley and originally published in the IFA Cooperator magazine (vol. 92, no. 3) Fall 2026.
IFA Expert Spotlight:
Carson Schumann: Feed & Livestock Equipment Specialist - Ogden IFA Country Store
Carson Schumann has been a vital part of the team at the Ogden IFA Country Store for over three years. He specializes in connecting producers with the essential feed and livestock equipment they need to thrive. By fostering strong, reliable relationships with industry vendors, Carson ensures that IFA members get the precise tools and products they need right when they need them.
For Carson, Agriculture isn’t just a career; it’s a lifelong passion rooted in firsthand experience. He developed a deep understanding of the daily rewards and challenges of agricultural life growing up working on a commercial cow/calf operation managed by his father alongside hands-on experience at several other farms and ranches throughout his youth.
This practical upbringing was paired with an exceptional agricultural education. Guided first by his mother who served as his ag teacher in high school, Carson furthered his passion for Ag at Utah State University where he earned a bachelor's degree in ag business with a minor in animal science.
Thanks to his background, Carson shares a genuine bond with co-op members and understands the unique hurdles they face in today's agricultural landscape. Carson also seeks opportunities to advance his knowledge of IFA products by attending training meetings by fencing, feed, and animal health vendors. Carson views IFA customers not just as clients, but as friends, and finds immense pride in playing a small role in the ultimate success of their operations.
When he isn't helping IFA patrons, Carson loves spending quality time with his wife, Oakley. True to his roots, you can often find him out riding horses, camping, boating, or tending to his family's own small herd of cattle. He is also a passionate sports fan who loves cheering for Utah State Basketball.
"Working with customers is the best part of my job. I enjoy getting to know what people's goals are with their livestock and being able to provide them the products they need to accomplish those goals." - Carson Schumann
Curtis Crouch: Assistant Branch Manager - Tremonton IFA Country Store
For over 19 years, Curtis Crouch has been a cornerstone of the IFA team, bringing a lifetime of hands-on agricultural expertise to the Tremonton branch. As Assistant Manager, Curtis pairs deep-rooted practical knowledge with formal training to help local producers, co-op members, and youth competitors succeed.
Curtis’s passion for agriculture is foundational. His grandfather established a dairy farm in Woods Cross, Utah, during the 1930s. Curtis grew up working on the dairy part-time before transitioning to a full-time role for 15 years. This extensive experience with livestock and dairy operations gives him an authentic, first-hand understanding of the daily rewards and challenges his customers face.
Curtis’s expertise in Feed, Livestock Equipment, and Animal Health has been instrumental in his nearly two decades of serving IFA co-op members. Curtis uses his practical expertise to guide customers toward the exact equipment they need and collaborates directly with trusted vendors to ensure customer satisfaction.
Curtis earned his formal education in finance from Weber State University and an associate degree in Horse & Cattle Nutrition from Utah State University. Curtis put his education to use by helping his daughter’s fair steer achieve an impressive gain of four pounds per day leading up to the county fair.
He is deeply invested in the next generation of agriculture. He served as a former 4-H horse program leader and actively supports the 4-H and FFA programs at both Box Elder and Bear River High Schools.
When he isn’t at the Tremonton IFA branch, Curtis can almost always be found outdoors. He and his wife, Melanie, have three children and four grandchildren. His off time is still dedicated to working with horses and cattle. Outside of caring for his animals, Curtis and Melanie love to explore the world and have traveled to destinations all across the globe.
"The best part of serving our members is the lifelong friendships that have developed through honest conversations." - Curtis Crouch