Posted by joho on July 25, 2011 at 04:53:44 from (71.63.36.150):
From the Virginia Farm Bureau: Thursday, July 21, 2011 WASHINGTON—Proposed U.S. Department of Transportation guidance for farm vehicles and equipment have raised concerns among farmers nationwide. The guidance addresses three aspects of farm-related transportation: whether hauling farm products within a single state is interstate or intrastate commerce; whether agricultural vehicles and equipment should be designated as commercial motor vehicles; and whether a farmer hauling commodities owned in part by a landlord should be regulated like a commercial trucker. Virginia’s largest farm organization has taken particular issue with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s position that all sales of agricultural products should be defined as interstate commerce—even when farm goods are transported a short distance within a state using a pickup truck. Under that definition, farmers and ranchers stand to lose the exemptions they were given by Congress in federal highway legislation. "When you sell your grain at the Richmond elevator, you have no idea where it’s going. And if it ends up being shipped to Kentucky or California or out of the country, you have no control over that," noted Andrew Smith, senior assistant director of governmental relations for Virginia Farm Bureau Federation. "Likewise, you have no control over where, or in what form, livestock animals are sold once you sell them." Designating farm tractors, combines, trailers, pickup trucks and any vehicle pulling a farm implement as a commercial motor vehicle would require farmers and their employees who drive for them to acquire commercial driver’s licenses and comply with DOT regulations that apply to commercial truck drivers. It also would keep farm family members younger than 18 from helping out during critical times like planting and harvesting by running specific farm equipment. The American Farm Bureau Federation has asserted that individual states should have the final say in the matter. "A federal one-size-fits-all approach would likely result in a narrow definition which does not address the diverse range of machinery needed by modern agriculture," said Elizabeth Jones, AFBF transportation specialist. Federal officials also are considering whether a farmer hauling commodities that are owned in part by his or her landlord should be considered "for hire" and subject to commercial trucking regulations. Smith said that debate has greater implications for producers in the Midwest but could affect new and smaller-scale producers in Virginia who farm with another individual. An FMCSA comment period for farmers has been extended to Aug. 1. Producers can share their comments at fmcsa.dot.gov. Contact Smith at 804-290-1021.
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Today's Featured Article - History of the Nuffield Tractor - by Anthony West. The Nuffield tractor story started in early 1945. The British government still reeling from the effects of the war on the economy, approached the Nuffield organization to see if they would design and build an "ALL NEW" British built wheeled tractor, suitable for both British and world farming.
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