To help haul in this year’s harvest, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed today a proclamation granting a temporary 60-day weight limit exemption for trucks operating on Iowa roads, and the proclamation will be effective as of Saturday, September 15. The 2018 Harvest Weight 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 2018 proclamation again applies to loads transported on all highways within Iowa, excluding the federal 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 Reynolds for this proclamation as it provides a tremendous help to us as we work to efficiently haul in this year’s crop,” said Iowa Corn Growers Association President Curt Mether, a farmer from Logan. “We appreciate Governor Reynolds’ efforts knowing that the harvest weight proclamation is not a right by law, but a petition we as corn farmers make to the Governor who at her sole discretion may choose to grant the increased harvest weight tolerance.”
ICGA made the request to Governor Reynolds in August and worked with the Governor’s office to ensure the Proclamation moved forward to benefit Iowa’s farmers. The proclamation directs the Iowa Department of Transportation to monitor the operation of the proclamation, assure the public’s safety by facilitating 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 15, 2018.