Even as the wheat and oat harvest locally, farmers look for similar success this fall with their corn and soybeans. According to the USDA’s Crop Progress and Condition Report, farmers had 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork across the state, with the northeast region slightly above six days. Winter wheat is about 98 percent harvested, and oats are about 80 percent harvested as of August 24th, which is a little behind last year’s pace but about even with the five-year average. Corn and soybeans are also progressing nicely, with the condition of both crops rated as 83 percent good to excellent. Jeremy Heim from Heim Brothers Custom and Heim’s Hillcrest Dairy says he expects to see high yields this fall, which likely means you will see even more semi-trucks and farm machinery on the road. He hopes both farmers and motorists continue to travel with caution so everyone can get home safely.

Last week, the National Grain and Feed Association observed the sixth annual Harvest Safety Week, providing resources and information to help grain, feed, and processing facilities adopt safe practices during the fall.