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Safety awareness critical as combines return to the field

On-farm and roadway safety is being emphasized as the fall harvest season continues.

Southwest Iowa farmer Duane Aistrope says transportation of large ag equipment will pick up the next few weeks as fields dry out.

“Remember that we have this slow-moving machinery going down the road,” he said. “Let’s keep everybody safe on the road and hopefully the public works well with us and just takes their time.”

Extension agronomist Meaghan Anderson with Iowa State University tells Brownfield farmer safety goes beyond just the roadways.

“We’re probably going to be working long hours,” she said, “and so making sure our farmers are taking care of themselves too. Make sure they realize when they’ve reached their limits and they are taking breaks as they need to also.”

Anderson says it’s also important for farmers to keep their machine’s safety features clean both in and out of the field, check tow ropes and chains when extracting stuck equipment, and be aware of your crew’s location.