DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad signed a disaster proclamation March 17 temporarily lifting state road weight restrictions to allow the transportation of up to 90,000 pounds of forage throughout the state of Iowa, which will aid farmers and ranchers impacted by wildfires in Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.

 

“The pictures and stories of the devastation from the wildfires are heartbreaking,” said Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey.

 

“But, hearing about the outpouring of support and donations, from Iowa and across the nation, is overwhelming. I know some groups have already organized donations of hay and other supplies, but I do hear from folks who are interested in helping but are unsure of the best way.

 

“Fortunately, there are a number of opportunities for those who are interested to help the farmers that have been impacted by the fires.”

 

Seven people have died as a result of the wildfires. More than 2,300 square miles – much of it agricultural land used for cow-calf production – have also burned. According to Branstad’s office, the move allows vehicles transporting forage through Iowa to be oversize and overweight, without a permit, until May 16.

 

The proclamation applies to loads transported on all highways within the state, excluding the interstate system, and those which do not exceed a maximum of 90,000 pounds gross weight and do not exceed the maximum axle weight  limit (determined under the non‐primaryhighway maximum gross weight table in Iowa Code 321.463) by more than 12.5 percent.

 

Moreover, loads cannot exceed the legal maximum axle weight limit of 20,000 pounds and must comply with posted limits on roads and bridges. The Iowa Department of Transportation will monitor the operation of the proclamation to assure the public’s safety, and to facilitate the movement of trucks involved in transporting forage to the impacted states.

 

In addition, the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation, the Iowa Cattlemen’s Assoc. (ICA) and Dream Dirt Farm and Ranch Real Estate have announced they are partnering on an online auction to raise funds for victims of the wildfires.

 

“We couldn’t stand by and not do something. We know how to raise money and the idea of an online auction quickly made its rounds in our office,” said Jason Smith of DreamDirt.

 

“We approached the good folks at the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association with our idea to give Midwesterners a way to donate to the relief efforts, and they were on board from the first contact and have worked with us for days to get this up and running.”

 

The online auction will take place at 10 a.m. April 7. The ICA is also accepting cash donations, with 100 percent of donations and auction proceeds being distributed to the affected states.

 

“Our cattlemen across the state are eager to help brethren cattlemen and -women recover from these devastating fires,” said Matt Deppe, ICA CEO. “We are grateful for the governor’s support of our relief efforts.”

 

While forage donations come in, additional needs continue to surface for those affected, ICA representatives stated: “Milk replacer for orphan calves, fencing materials and seed to reestablish pasture are merely a few examples. But as the needs grow diverse throughout the recovery process, cash donations will be important to those affected.”