Media contact:
Misti Preston
Phone: (573) 751-8596
Misti.Preston@mda.mo.gov

For Immediate Release: August 1, 2006

Departments of Agriculture, Transportation Join Together to Assist Farmers, Waive Permit Fees

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.) – Extreme weather conditions this summer have resulted in a widespread hay shortage. The Missouri Departments of Transportation and Agriculture are working to help Missouri’s farmers cope with the situation.

At the request of MDA, MoDOT is waiving the fee for blanket permits to haul wide loads of hay. The fee will be waived statewide through Dec. 31 on loads up to 12 feet, four inches wide that are of legal height, length and weight.

In addition to this savings of more than $60, the waiver will allow hay movements to take place over holidays and at night, a practice normally not allowed. Drivers are usually required to use a reflective, oversized load sign and clearance lights instead of flags at the edges of their loads when hauling at night or when visibility is less than 500 feet.

"This year’s drought has impacted our livestock producers with a reduced hay crop and rapidly declining pasture conditions. We commend MoDOT for a quick response to our request,” said Fred Ferrell, director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture. "Waiving the hay hauling permit fees will allow our livestock producers across the state to save money, assisting in the maintenance of their herds.”

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. They must adhere to all other permit requirements, such as proper signing and lighting, and they must stop at weigh stations.

Farmers should call MoDOT’s Motor Carrier Services office at (800) 877-8499 to report the year, make and license plate number of their power unit and to provide their business name and address. Motor Carrier Services will then issue the permits by fax.

Judy Grundler, MDA representative on the state’s Drought Assessment Committee, said the members of the committee are monitoring the situation closely. “We are continually assessing the drought situation in Missouri,” said Grundler. “It has affected many different sectors in the farming community.”

For additional information regarding Missouri’s drought, please visit the MDA Website link at http://www.mda.mo.gov/drought/index.html.

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