Agricultural Equipment on the Road: Implements of Husbandry Information Meetings

By Ken Schroeder

Farmers, agriculturists and local town officials are invited to attend a seminar to discuss recently enacted Wisconsin legislation that updates state laws regarding farm machinery operating on Wisconsin roadways.  The University of Wisconsin-Extension and Wisconsin Farm Bureau are hosting presentations about these changes on:

• November 10, from 2:30 to 5:00 PM in Portage County Annex Building, rooms 1 and 2.  Contact Ken Schroeder or Nathan Sandwick 715-346-1316.
• November 11, from 12:30 to 3:30 PM and again at 7:30 PM in Vesper Community Center (this event co-sponsored by Mid-State Technical College).  Contact Mike Sable at 715-389-7051.

The Wisconsin legislation that was signed into law in April 2014 as Wisconsin Act 377, updates the definition of implements of husbandry (IoH), creates a definition for an agricultural commercial motor vehicle (Ag CMV), provides an additional weight allowance from a maximum single axle weight of 20,000 pounds to 23,000 and increases the maximum gross vehicle weight from 80,000 to 92,000 pounds. Other components of the law address length and width limits, safety concerns including lighting and marking, and clarifies rules of the road.

Farmers and large equipment operators will be required to secure a No-Fee permit for overweight and over length IoH or Ag CMV from their local town, county or state unit of government, depending on the roads the equipment will be operated on.

Presenters will include; Cheryl Skjolaas, Interim Director and Agricultural Safety Specialist, UW Center for Agricultural Safety and Health, Rob Richard, Senior Director of Governmental Relations, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Lee Turonie, General Counsel,WI Towns Association and Lt. Michael Klingenberg, Wisconsin State Patrol. These speakers will discuss how these new laws and practices will affect the agriculture industry and how these new laws and practices will be enforced.

Registration is not required for these presentations. Refreshments and materials will be provided. For more information contact Ken Schroeder or Nathan Sandwick 715-346-1316 (Portage County meeting) and Mike Sable at 715-389-7051 (Wood County meetings).

Additional information about Implements of Husbandry and other informational meetings can be found at the UW-Extension IoH website http://fyi.uwex.edu/ioh/