[“The seemingly endless cornfields of Central Illinois” by Ron Frazier is licensed under CC BY 2.0]
Due to delays in the fall harvest in Illinois, Governor Bruce Rauner has declared a harvest emergency. The declaration comes from the request by the Illinois Farm Bureau back on October 25th.
Declared IL harvest emergency today to help farmers speed crops to market. 45 days. 10% more highway weight: https://t.co/2a1MYbVdtO pic.twitter.com/kbjLlxOeoy
— Bruce Rauner (@GovRauner) November 5, 2017
.@GovRauner declares harvest emergency; much work needed to gain permits. https://t.co/dQ53qRkZX4 #harvest17 pic.twitter.com/9MmVJZXSYV
— Illinois Farm Bureau (@ILFarmBureau) November 6, 2017
A wet fall with rain later in the season has prevented many farmers from working in their fields. Farmers also had delays in the Spring planting crops in the fields due to a rainy spring. This has put the harvest for soybeans and corn well behind seasonal averages. With the declaration, a farmer may request a special permit to haul more crops, getting them out of the fields and to market quicker. The permit allows up to a maximum of 10 percent more grain than the standard weight restriction of the gross, axle and registered weight restrictions that are usually in affect.
Helpful, quick information about Illinois state harvest season emergency declared by @GovRauner : https://t.co/PvLMiNfpNL pic.twitter.com/Kh5lJ2R6rw
— Illinois Farm Bureau (@ILFarmBureau) November 6, 2017
Listen. Click. Read. Harvest emergency declaration allows farmers to exceed weight limits with permits. https://t.co/dQ53qRkZX4 #harvest17 pic.twitter.com/YHcsjRT2KC
— Illinois Farm Bureau (@ILFarmBureau) November 6, 2017
The Illinois Department of Transportation will be issuing the permits that will be in effect for 45 days.
For WeatherNation: Meteorologist Mace Michaels