Midwest State Greenlights Heavier Harvest Loads for Farmers
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed a proclamation allowing farmers to haul heavier loads of grain, fertilizer and manure on state roads without obtaining permits during the harvest season.
Exemption Intended to Support Harvest Operations
The waiver is intended to help Iowa farmers move agricultural commodities and inputs more efficiently as grain harvest gets underway. The exemption applies to state requirements involving weight limits for eligible agricultural loads.
Increased truck and farm-equipment traffic is expected as combines, tractors, grain carts and trucks travel between fields, storage facilities and elevators. Weather-related delays and wet field conditions could further concentrate transportation activity during available harvest windows.
Harvest Traffic Expected to Increase
Recent rainfall across Iowa has limited fieldwork in some areas, while corn and soybean development has trailed the pace of previous years in certain categories. The combination of delayed fieldwork and a compressed harvest period could lead to heavier agricultural traffic on rural roads and highways.
The proclamation covers loads of grain, fertilizer and manure. Farmers and carriers operating under the exemption remain responsible for complying with other applicable state and local requirements.
