Producers are needed for a survey and the snow fence program
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is looking for farmers to participate in an online survey.
“We’re conducting a short survey to find out what you need from us related to road safety, permitting, CDLs, size and weight restrictions, and the movement of equipment on Iowa roads,” the questionnaire’s description says.
The survey has eight questions.
They include:
- What is your preferred method for receiving information about regulations?
- When it comes to ag vehicle operations, which topic is the most difficult/confusing to understand?
- How would you rate your current knowledge of regulations related to ag vehicle operation?
Iowa’s Commercial Motor Vehicle Unit works to increase driver safety, and support the movement of ag products, machinery and supplies.
The Farmer Safety Initiative supports these efforts through surveys, outreach and providing other materials.
In addition to the survey, the DOT is looking for more farmers to participate in the winter snow fence program.
The program, which asks farmers to leave between eight and 16 rows of corn standing to reduce snow drift, started in 2016 with 12 acres. Farmers received $5.10 per bushel of corn left standing.
To incentivize farmers to participate, the Iowa DOT is paying farmers $6.70 per bushel of corn left standing.
Not only do the snow fences help with road safety, they provide benefits to a farmer’s field too.
“It increases the soil moisture because they are able to trap the snow and it stays there in their field,” Greg Bargfrede, winter operations administrator with the Iowa DOT, told The Gazette.
Farmers interested in getting involved with the snow fence program are encouraged to contact a local Iowa DOT district office.