Farming Equipment on the Roads

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it is very easy to lose our patience when we are on the roads, especially when we happen to get behind a slow moving farm vehicle. However, we need to remember that the farmers are somewhat behind this year due to the extremely wet weather in September and the first snow of the season occurring on October 29th. They were not able to get into the fields in a timely manner and now they are trying to catch up.

This means that we may see farming equipment on the roads longer than normal in the month of November. The different farming equipment we may be coming across on the roads right now includes, but is not limited to, combines (for harvesting corn and soybeans), grain trucks and wagons, planters and drills (for planting cover crops and small grains), and manure application and tillage equipment. If we do see farming equipment on the roads, it is most likely because the farmers do not have a choice. Just like many of us have to get to our jobs every day, the farmers have to get to their jobs as well, which at this time of year is harvesting the crops out of the numerous fields throughout Franklin County.

When we do get behind a slow moving farm vehicle, or when we are approaching one on the opposite side of the road from us, think about what they are doing for Franklin County (agriculture is one of the biggest employers in this county) and try to show a little patience and understanding. We need to be aware of the fact that their machinery is a lot bigger than our personal vehicles and that they are not going to be able to “stop on a dime” if we cut them off or don’t give them enough room.  Whether we realize it or not, we all depend on farmers in Franklin County and across the country to get their jobs done so that we can have food on our plates.