2. Suitability
The choice of any storage structure should be based on how well it will fit into any farmstead operation as part of a well organized feed storage and handling system, considering the following general points:
(a) Labor and Mechanization
One large item too often overlooked in a comparison of types of storage structures is labor requirements - both type and amount. Since farm income is directly related to output per man, any production system should be so organized that labor is utilized as effectively and efficiently as possible, consistent with the highest possible net farm income. Capital in the form of equipment may profitably be substituted for labor up to the point where costs outweigh the added returns. In some cases, the possibility of reducing labor and drudgery through mechanization is an important consideration (often allowing a farmer to remain in business). These facts should be evaluated considering the degree and cost of mechanization possible with each type of storage structure. Tower silos for example, are more adaptable to semi-automatic or automatic operation than horizontal silos and fit in more readily where a totally mechanized feeding system is desirable.