By DEBORAH BEHRENDS
Illinois Correspondent

SYCAMORE, Ill. — Across most of northern Illinois – indeed, the Midwest in general – this year’s harvest season is later and taking longer than usual. DeKalb County is no exception, as farmers race to harvest the last acres of grain before the snow flies.

This year’s later harvest is due to the high moisture levels of corn as a result of a later planted crop and above-normal levels of precipitation during the 2008 crop year. One safety concern with a longer harvest is the extended amount of time farmers are using roads for harvest operations.

To alert motorists to fall harvest activity, some farmers are using new yellow triangular signs which read, “CAUTION: Harvest in Progress.” These signs were developed by DeKalb County Farm Bureau to promote roadway safety and warn motorists to slow down in farm country.

“Fast-moving cars and slow-moving farm equipment can be a dangerous combination,” said Kevin Hickey, a member of Farm Bureau’s Health and Safety Committee and chief deputy with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department.

“Oftentimes, motorists don’t understand that farm equipment moves at much slower speeds. If they fail to reduce their speed when approaching these farm implements it could result in a collision.”

“Roadway safety is our number-one concern during the harvest season,” said Mariam Wassmann, Farm Bureau director of information. “It’s our hope that these road signs raise awareness to the hazards which exist in our rural areas.”

The “Harvest in Progress” signs are being used in front of field entrances and near farmsteads where harvest activity is occurring. Trucks, combines, tractors and wagons are in and out of fields transporting grain to storage facilities located on the farm or at the elevator.

These temporary signs move with harvest equipment from field to field. The seasonal signs will be used while harvest continues. Farm Bureau directors were the first to use the signs. Other farmers also are using the signs to promote roadway safety.

Farmers can purchase the harvest signs by visiting the DeKalb County Farm Bureau office in Sycamore. The yellow diamond-shaped signs are made of all-weather plastic corrugated material and measure 30-by-30 inches. They come complete with an attached iron post that is four feet high.

Signs are $20 each. Contact the Farm Bureau to inquire about the continued availability of the road signs.

Slow-moving vehicle emblems

Another sign to keep note of is the slow-moving vehicle (SMV) emblem. Mounted on the center back of farm equipment, the red and orange triangular sign warns motorists that the farm vehicle is moving at slow speeds.

Remember, it only takes five seconds to close the gap the length of a football field between a car traveling 55 mph and a tractor traveling at 15 mph. Motorists should recognize the SMV emblem, which serves as a warning to slow down immediately.

Farmers are reminded to keep their SMV emblems updated. Replacement SMV emblems are available for $4.50 at the Farm Bureau office.

Caution, courtesy and consideration will help ensure everyone’s safety on rural roads this fall. Farmers and motorists have equal responsibility to look out for each other on the roadways.