Harvest has started across Iowa and throughout the Midwest. It is arguably the most important time of year for our farmers, bringing in the crop after a year of hard work facing challenges from mother nature and lower markets. As you travel to work, school, or play, know that safety is important on the roads, farm, and fields.

As harvest begins farm safety is not only important to farmers in the fields, it is also important to other drivers meeting farm equipment on the road. Most farm equipment take up more than one lane on the roads, move slowly, and take wide turns in intersections or into field driveways. Always be alert on the road for equipment to stop or turn unexpectedly due to oncoming traffic or other circumstances. Never pass farm equipment until you are sure it is safe to do so. Taking a few extra minutes to follow farm equipment at a safe distance will ensure the safety of you and the farmer.

Farmers are also taking extra precautions in the field during harvest to stay safe. They ensure that their equipment is working properly so that moving parts do not get hot and cause fires. This can include properly lubricating parts on combines, tractors, and trucks or removing dust and debris from machines to lower fire risk on an especially dry year like this year. Proper maintenance also ensures that machines can operate efficiently during harvest.

Safety is also very important on the farm. During the fall there is a lot more traffic throughout the farmyard, including hauling grain to bins, moving livestock to corn stalks, or hauling manure to prepare for the next crop year. With all of these moving parts, farmers and visitors need to be aware. Large machinery has limited visibility and can be dangerous to be close to. Ask a farmer about the safety hazards before approaching moving equipment throughout the farm.

Although large machinery is a very important asset to all farmers, the top priority is their safety. Please be patient and stay safe while traveling throughout the countryside this fall.

Joe Kvidera

Traer