Corn Growers Announce 60 Day Harvest Weight Proclamation

To help haul in this year’s harvest, Governor Terry Branstad signed a proclamation this evening granting a temporary 60-day weight limit exemption for trucks on Iowa roads, effective starting at 12:01 am, Tuesday, September 20, 2016. The proclamation specifically increases the weight allowable for shipment of corn, soybeans, hay, straw and stover, by 12.5 percent per axle (up to a maximum of 90,000 pounds) without the need for an oversize/overweight permit.

The 2016 proclamation again applies to loads transported on all highways within Iowa, excluding the interstate system. Trucks cannot exceed the truck’s regular maximum by more than 12.5 percent per axle and must obey the posted limits on all roads and bridges.

“On behalf of Iowa farmers, we sincerely thank Governor Branstad for the proclamation, realizing that the harvest weight proclamation is not a right by law, but a petition we make to the Governor,” said Iowa Corn Growers Association President Kurt Hora, a farmer from Washington. “This proclamation provides a tremendous help to us as we work to efficiently haul in this year’s crop.” 

ICGA provided Governor Branstad and official request and the information required for a proclamation, such as estimated harvest predictions. The proclamation directs the Iowa Department of Transportation to monitor the operation of the proclamation, assure the public’s safety and facilitate the movement of the trucks involved. Farmers who are transporting grain are also required to follow their vehicle safety standards on axle weights.

The exemption will be granted for 60 days beginning, September 20, 2016.

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The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) is a membership organization lobbying on agricultural issues on behalf of its 8,000 farmer members. 

For More Information:

Contact:
Lisa Cassady, Public Relations Manager, 515-443-3747| lcassady@iowacorn.org
Mindy Larsen Poldberg, Director of Government Relations, 515-225-9242 |mpoldberg@iowacorn.org