Missouri Suspends Permit Fees for Hay Loads Amid Drought
Emergency Order Through Dec. 1 Supports Farmers Facing Dry Conditions
Key Takeaways:
- Missouri experienced its third-driest August since 1895.
- The state has about 88,000 farms with an average size of 308 acres.
- Permit fee for a single-trip fee normally is $15, and the multitrip permit fee is $96 for hauling hay.
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Missouri is temporarily giving free special overwidth permits for hay deliveries to farmers and ranchers after the governor declared rapidly escalating drought conditions.
Agriculture is a key to the state economy and provides jobs for 460,000 workers. Missouri has about 88,000 farms with an average size of 308 acres.
The new permits were announced Sept. 29 by the as most of the state experienced the third-driest August on record since 1895.
Several days earlier, Gov. Mike Kehoe issued an executive order declaring a statewide drought alert after 85 of the state’s 114 counties were experiencing varying levels of extreme weather conditions.
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“This executive order allows our state agencies to step in and direct resources to those struggling with the consequences of drought, while allowing for vigilant monitoring of conditions over the next few months,” Kehoe said. “We expect drought conditions to continue impacting agriculture and waterway navigation. We urge Missourians to report their local conditions in order to help local, state and federal partners to best understand impacts.”
MoDOT has waived through Dec. 1 the single-trip fee of $15 and the blanket (multitrip) permit fee of $96 for hauling hay. Loads must be of legal height, length and weight.
“Before hauling, drivers must apply for the special overwidth hauling permit for loads that exceed 8 feet and 6 inches in width and map their route to avoid work zones, bridges and other areas that have weight, narrow-lane or height restrictions,” MoDOT stated.
Permits can be obtained online via the MoDOT Carrier Express, and hay haulers should place a comment in the application about the fee waiver to avoid the charge.
What's Allowed
The special overwidth permit under the drought conditions allows hay hauling loads:
- Up to 12 feet, 6 inches wide with a blanket permit
- Up to 14 feet wide using single-trip permits
- To be moved at night and during holiday periods
“At night, or when visibility is less than 500 feet, drivers must use a reflective, oversized load sign and clearance lights instead of the normal flags required at the edges of the load,” MoDOT advised.
Drivers must meet all permit requirements, such as using proper signage and lighting, as well as stopping at weigh stations.
The special permits are only for transporting hay loads within Missouri and are required for each truck.
In another move to get hay transported to farmers and ranchers, the state Department of Agriculture made changes in August to its online Hay Directory for buyers and sellers. The directory enables livestock producers to find available hay from producers in Missouri and other states.
Missouri’s top agricultural commodities are soybeans, corn, poultry and eggs, cattle, and hogs and pigs.
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