Harvest Season Reminders

By John Wilson, Extension Educator

Haulers Reminded Proper Permits Needed During Harvest Season

With the arrival of harvest season, the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) Carrier Enforcement Division would like to remind haulers to obtain the proper permits and make sure their equipment has been inspected and is safe for use.

Haulers are reminded that the Seasonal Harvest Permit or farmer issued statement are not valid on any part of the Interstate System, to include I-129 in Dakota County and I-180 in Lancaster County. The Seasonal Harvest Permit, as well as the issued statement of origin and destination by a farmer, allows a vehicle transporting seasonally harvested products to exceed the legal weight limitations by 15%, from the field to storage or market.

Such loads may still obtain Conditional Interstate Use Permits to exceed the 80,000 pound maximum on the Interstate System, but all axles and groups of axles must remain legal. This would include no more than 20,000 pounds on any single axle, and no more than 34,000 pounds on any true tandem.

The NSP Carrier Enforcement Division also encourages owners and haulers to ensure their equipment is properly maintained. “Braking component violations are the most common problem we discover during commercial motor vehicle inspections,” said Captain Gerry Krolikowski, Carrier Enforcement Division Commander. “Having a properly functioning brake system is critical to the safety of everyone on the roadway and we encourage owners to assure these items are thoroughly inspected.”

Individuals with questions on this topic are asked to contact the Nebraska State Patrol Carrier Enforcement Division office in Lincoln during regular business hours, Monday-Friday at 402.471.0105.

Store Grain Management

The key management actions are the same as always, although there may be a little more leeway in storage times/shelf life.

• Uniform drying and cooling
• Adequate aeration (0.1 + cfm/bu)
• Cooling cycle every 10-15 degree change of outside air versus grain
• Get below 40degrees F as fast as possible
• Take out the center core of fines immediately
• Regular inspection, temperature monitoring
• Temperature change is important (3 degrees increase in two weeks without aeration being run is significant)
• Stay within temperature-moisture guidelines even if we are on the high end this year

Safe Grain Storage Periods

The following chart shows the safe storage period (in months) for corn and soybeans at different moisture content and grain temperatures. Remember, if not properly aerated, the grain temperature can be considerably higher than the outside air temperature.