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Wisconsin has some new ag transportation laws

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker signed a series of transportation bills into law on Wednesday including several with agricultural implications. One bill extends the fall harvest weight limits for an additional month. Vehicles transporting agricultural crops from the field to the first point of delivery were allowed to exceed road weight limits by 15 percent from September 1st through November 30th, that is now allowed through December 31st.

The Department of Transportation can now issue overweight permits for vehicles with six or more axels transporting grain, distillers grains, fruit, vegetables and livestock to a farm or from a field or farm to a storage facility or processor. The overweight permits do not apply to milk, animal waste and raw forest products. Overweight loads may not exceed 90,000 pounds.

Another new law allows DPT to issue oversize load permits for the transportation of hay or straw. Loads cannot exceed 15 feet in height except in urban areas where the limit is 14 feet, six inches.

And the Governor signed a law allowing DOT to issue overweight permits for vehicles with six or more axels transporting sealed containers for international shipment. The overweight loads may not exceed 90,000 pounds

A new law also allows a vehicle to be up to 45 feet long without obtaining a permit.

The Governor says the bills will lower the cost of doing business in Wisconsin.