Wet weather complicates harvest; MoDOT to allow heavier truckloads of row crops

A wet and chilly October means farmers are now scrambling to get the harvest of soybeans and corn completed.

According to Pat Guinan, University of Missouri Extension climatologist, statewide rainfall averaged more than 10 inches -- the wettest October in 68 years and the second wettest in history. This year's statewide average precipitation was about 10.17 inches, near the 10.47 inches recorded in 1941 and well above the second-wettest October. In 1919, 7.23 inches were recorded.

Guinan said that the combination of rain and cool temperatures slowed evaporation, and the wet soil conditions delayed harvests in Missouri and across the Corn Belt.

Farmers also are dealing with crop molds, slow-drying grain and other issues, too.

Extension experts are recommending drying beans with ambient air, noting that bean quality can suffer if too much heat is used.

Charles Ellis, extension regional natural resource engineer in Lincoln County, said, "With temperatures in the 40-degree range, soybeans harvested at 16 percent moisture can be stored safely for 140 days. This will give you five months to get them down to the 12-to 12-percent range. With temperatures in the 40-degree range and humidity in the 60-percent range, beans can be dried with natural air into the 11-percent range.

The key to managing beans will be to keep them cool with aeration and make use of good drying days to remove the final couple points of moisture from the grain. Aeration will be necessary in March to warm the grain to prevent condensation to the bin.

While farmers are rushing to harvest row crops and get them to storage before unseasonably heavy rainfall ruins this year's production. The Missouri departments of Transportation and Agriculture are working to help Missouri's farmers cope with the situation.

At the request of MDA, MoDOT issued an emergency declaration that eases certain state transportation regulations through Nov. 30. While the declaration is in effect, farmers are allowed to load their trucks up to 10 percent heavier than the legal licensed weight when transporting row crop commodities from the farm to a local storage facility. Farmers may also operate their vehicles beyond the normal hours-of-service limits when hauling to storage facilities and returning the empty truck to the farm.

These heavier loads are not allowed on Missouri interstates, nor are they allowed on any bridge with a weight restriction lower than the gross weight of the loaded vehicle. When traveling over bridges, the drivers must limit their speed to 45 mph and drive down the center of two lanes.

A copy of Emergency Declaration 09-11 must be carried in each commercial motor vehicle that operates in response to the relief effort. It is posted on MoDOT Motor Carrier Services' Web site, www.modot.org/mcs.

Because many highways are under repair and might have narrow lanes, drivers are expected to review their respective routes for work zone restrictions before beginning each trip. Consult the Traveler Information Map at www.modot.org or call MoDOT customer service at 1-888 ASK MoDOT (275-6636).