Re: Planning to build a barn
Hello LIA, and welcome to CBN.
Whatever you wind up building- it won't be big enough.
Will large livestock will have access to bumping the sides? Bovines are good at denting steel siding.
Re: Planning to build a barn
I DO agree with JazzDad that it probably will seem too small once it's up. [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
One thing I'd mention is that with a 17' clear span in the center, you may want to consider laminated columns. I just visited a very large barn addition (100'x240'x18') over the weekend. The 100' width was clear span (riding arena). Engineered columns were built up from (3) 2x8's. So it was effectively a 4.5x7.5" solid column. The bottom portions (below ground) are treated lumber with staggered finger joints to standard lumber above ground. I've seen this on other pole buildings and it seems to be a growing trend. I expect that it would be cost effective, especially for tall buildings such as what you are considering.
Sounds like you'll be doing a lot of tractor maneuvering in the barn, filling feeders, etc. I would be concerned about turning radii in the center area for your tractors since you don't say how big they are. I would lay it out on the ground with stakes and caution tape or string and drive your tractors as you intend to use them. It's better to see if you're going to be bumping into things before you've got posts sunk in the ground. Good luck.