(Press Release) The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation is pleased with the recent passage of Senate Bill 410 by both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature.

SB 410 helps improve the efficiently of applying manure. Specifically, it allows vehicles or vehicle combinations transporting manure to or from a farm to exceed weight limits by not more than 15 percent from September 1 to December 31 annually. This exemption is similar to the agricultural crop exemption that allows vehicles to exceed weight limits by not more than 15 percent for harvesting purposes during the same time frame.

“During the fall of 2011 there was increased enforcement of road weight limits in certain parts of the state,” explained Paul Zimmerman, WFBF’s Executive Director of Governmental Relations. “Several farmers and custom manure haulers were cited for being overweight when transporting manure from the farm to the fields for application.”

“The Wisconsin Farm Bureau understands that there are still issues to be resolved regarding road weight limits and modern farm equipment, but this legislation is a step in the right direction,” Zimmerman added. “Farm Bureau is committed to working with local highway departments and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to resolve such issues regarding farm equipment.”

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau, along with the Dairy Business Association, Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association and Wisconsin Pork Producers Association, encourage Governor Walker to sign SB 410 into law.

SB 410 passed both the State Senate and State Assembly on voice votes on Tuesday, February 21.

In November, Al Knox spoke to some farmers in Marathon County who threatened to close snowmobile trails running across their property to draw attention to the weight-limit issue. Click here to view that story.