Wisconsin Ag Connection - Don't Forget About Farm Safety During Late Harvest

Wisconsin Ag News Headlines

Don't Forget About Farm Safety During Late Harvest
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 11/06/2009

With the sun going down sooner and the harvest later than normal, Wisconsin's top farm safety specialist says a reminder is in order for both farm equipment operators and motorists on the road to be careful. Cheryl Skjolaas of the University of Wisconsin-Extension's agricultural safety program, says drivers must remember that farm equipment is big, slow and not very maneuverable.

"It's important to be alert and remember that these farm vehicles don't behave like cars and trucks when it comes to speed, turning or braking," Skjolaas said.

Motorists driving on rural roads are likely to encounter slow moving farm vehicles through most of November and December because the harvest season has been delayed due to a wet spring and cooler temperatures. In order to get the harvest completed farmers may be operating more during low-light conditions or after dark.

Skjolaas says it's legal to drive farm machinery on public roads and it's often the only way farmers can get from field to field. The combination of slow traveling farm equipment and faster motor vehicles means the time before the two meet can be seconds.

And she says farmers need to remember that farm machinery that goes less than 25 miles per hour should display an orange 'slow moving vehicle' or SMV emblem on the back.