Farmers to begin work as warmer weather arrives

JACKSON, Tenn. — With spring time comes warmer weather, and with warmer weather comes planting season!

According to Jake Mallard, a Gibson County University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture agent and co-director, farming equipment, like tractors and combines, will be more prevalent on the roadways in the spring due to farmers taking advantage of the weather and planting their crops.

“Planting season is when we’re trying to get the most acres planted. Fall, we’re trying to get the most acres harvested. Typically, we get a lot of ag traffic during those two periods of the year,” he said.

So during this planting season, it’s important to stay vigilant on the roadways for farming equipment moving down the road.

Some of the ways that drivers can prevent unnecessary farming equipment-related wrecks are by driving more cautiously around it, avoiding passing in dangerous areas like hills and curves, and practicing patience.

“They don’t want to hold you up and you don’t want to hold them up, so just be courteous when you get behind them. I know everybody is in a rush these days. My advice would be to leave 10 or 15 minutes earlier than what you normally do just to give you a little bit of added time, especially, if you live in the rural parts of West Tennessee,” Mallard said.

However, Mallard says that farming equipment may not be the only thing to look out for.

“When you’re in the field planting, you’re going to have breakdowns. So then we’re going to have maintenance trucks on the road trying to get out to the farm equipment, trying to get them up and operable again, and running,” he said.

Mallard said some of the things drivers may do that concern farming equipment drivers the most are road rage-related incidents, due to impatient drivers getting frustrated.

If you see farm equipment out on the road, remember to be courteous and drive safely.

Want to read more about keeping yourself, and those driving farming equipment, safe while on the road, check out tips here.

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