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

For Immediate Release: September 7, 2007

Departments of Agriculture, Transportation Honor Blunts Request to Assist Missouri Farmers during Drought

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.) – Today, at the request of Gov. Matt Blunt, the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) asked the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) to waive the fee for blanket permits to haul wide loads of hay through Dec. 31, 2008 on loads of up to 12 feet, four inches wide that are of legal height, length and weight.

"This year’s dry weather conditions have affected farm families and communities across the state with hardships including hay shortages," said Gov. Matt Blunt. "The Departments of Agriculture and Transportation working together to allow for extended hay movement will help many Missouri farmers. We will continue working together to assist our state’s producers during times of adverse weather."

In addition to saving producers more than $120, the waiver will allow hay movements to take place over holidays and at night, a practice normally not permitted. Drivers are 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. Producers can obtain a blanket permit for the remainder of 2007 now and request another blanket permit for 2008 in November.

With many Missouri highways under repair with narrowed lanes, drivers are expected and encouraged to review their respective routes for work zone restrictions before beginning each trip. Work zone information is available on the MoDOT Web site, www.modot.org or by calling 1-888 ASK MODOT (275-6636). Drivers must adhere to all other permit requirements, such as proper signing and lighting and must stop at weigh stations.

Producers taking advantage of this offered opportunity should contact 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. MoDOT will then issue the permits by fax.

“We are continuing to monitor and assess the drought situation across the state,” said Katie Smith, director of MDA. “We understand that many producers are facing a hay shortage.  In addition to taking advantage of the extended hauling movement, we encourage producers to take advantage of our Missouri Hay Directory where they can find a complete list of hay available here in the state.”

For producers facing a hay shortage, visit the Missouri Hay Directory at http://www.mda.mo.gov/Market/haydirectory.htm for a complete list of hay for sale across the state. Anyone interested in selling hay, contact the Missouri Hay Hotline (800) 877-4(HAY) or Mark Murphy, marketing specialist with MDA, at (573) 751-7213.

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