Iowa Extends Harvest Proclamation for Heavier Farm Loads

The easing of overweight restrictions under the terms of the order is meant to address seasonal agricultural needs. (Box5/Getty Images)

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Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed an extension of a state harvest proclamation on Oct. 9, allowing heavier loads to be transported without a permit through Nov. 8 to accommodate seasonal agricultural needs for moving grain, fertilizer and manure.

Noting that grain harvesting is taking place at farms throughout the state, Reynolds said agricultural truck traffic has increased along with efficiency requirements for effective collection of produce and associated materials.

The proclamation, listed as a disaster emergency, enables vehicles transporting corn, hay, silage, soybeans, stover and straw to be overweight without a permit for the duration of it. The weight limit for these vehicles is set at 90,000 pounds gross weight.

The easing of overweight restrictions under the terms of the order also applies to loads of dry, liquid and gaseous manure and fertilizer. All overweight loads must comply with posted weight limits on roads and bridges.

No permit is required under the governor’s order for loads transported on all Iowa highways, excluding interstates, that are no heavier than 90,000 pounds gross weight. However, the overweight loads cannot exceed maximum axle weight limits listed in the non-primary highway maximum gross weight table in Iowa Code regulations by more than 12.5% and cannot exceed the legal maximum axle weight limit of 20,000 pounds.

The latest extension of Reynolds’ Sept. 9 order came after Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig noted that a bout of warmer weather was favorable in helping farmers process their harvests.

“Iowa’s harvest progress took a big leap forward this week,” Naig said in an Oct. 7 report on crop progress. “After the driest September on record, the warm and dry weather is expected to continue through mid-October. While this is helpful for harvest, drought conditions are likely to expand throughout the state.”

Corn and soybean harvest dominated field work. The rate of corn maturity reached 90%, which is 6 days behind last year, while corn harvested for grain reached 22%. The weekly amount of soybeans harvested reached 58%, 4 days earlier than in 2023.

According to the Iowa Economic Development Authority, Iowa produces 7% of the nation’s food supply. Food processing accounts for nearly one-fourth of its manufacturing gross domestic product. The state also has 10 times more agricultural and construction equipment manufacturing concentrated there than elsewhere in the nation.

Meanwhile, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is reminding farmers to “continue to keep safety top of mind as you are on the road, in the field, or around the farm” during the remainder of this fall’s harvest season.