Corn Growers Applaud Grain Hauling Increase

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.)–Gov. Jay Nixon signed Senate Bill 12 today, approving the longstanding priority of the Missouri Corn Growers Association (MCGA) to increase transportation efficiencies for farmers during harvest.

“The window for getting the crop out of the field and to storage can be really short,” says MCGA President Kevin Hurst of Tarkio, Mo. “This harvest weight allowance will allow farmers to plan ahead and operate at maximum efficiency, while reducing the number of trucks on the road.”

Historically, farmers have relied on limited-time waivers to increase loads during times of emergency. Due to varied harvest times across the state and delays in the approval process, these limited waivers only benefited pockets of growers. MCGA pushed for Senate Bill 12 language to alleviate the delay and provide all growers with consistent access to hauling increases during harvest.

With the Governor’s signature, the new measure takes effect Aug. 28, stating:

“Notwithstanding any provision of this section or any other law to the contrary, any vehicle or combination of vehicles hauling grain or grain co-products during times of harvest may be as much as, but not exceeding, ten percent over the maximum weight limitation allowable under subsection 3 of this section while operating on highways other than the interstate highway system. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to vehicles operated and operating on the Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways.”

“We thank the governor for signing the bill for Missouri farmers as well as Sens. Brian Munzlinger and Mike Parson and Reps. Bill Reiboldt, Denny Hoskins and Jay Houghton for pushing the measure through the legislature,” said Hurst.

MCGA is a grassroots organization of more than 2,600 members dedicated to increasing the profitability of corn production through sound policies, continued market development and strong involvement in the political process. To learn more about the corn industry in Missouri, visit www.mocorn.org.