By: Gracie Goos
Silver City, Iowa – Fall is the time for pumpkin patches and bonfires. This is also a busy time of year for the farmers that are harvesting. Rural drivers have come upon a combine or a farming semi-truck while driving to or from work, wishing they could move a little faster or get off the road entirely.
According to the National Agricultural Safety data, farm equipment accidents on the roadway are among the leading causes of deaths and severe injuries for farmers.
Silver City, IA, farmer David Schoening said that he always makes sure that there are plenty of lights flashing on the equipment and that he and his helpers stay in constant communication over private radios.
Harvest Season is in full swing with farming equipment sorting the crops in Glenwood, IA. (Photo/Gracie Goos)
Farmers will say they wish more drivers on the road would be patient with them. Modern farming equipment has gotten bigger throughout the years, and farmers do their best to allow space on the roads, but they also need the consideration of everyday drivers. According to the CDC, in 2020, nearly 12,00 injuries in agricultural production required days away from work. However, there is an underreporting of farming injuries.
“We know you want to get places; we want to get to our places. I have a small one at home. I hardly get to see him; I’m gone before he wakes up. We farmers want to be at home as much as you do, or we want to get to where we’re going,” said farmer, Andrew Schoening.
Farmer, Andrew Schoening expressed his passions within farming in Mineola, IA. (Photo/Gracie Goos)
Harvest season is expected to be finished by early to mid-November if the weather stays dry for farmers.
