The Kentucky Soybean Board's farmer-leaders emphasize the importance of road safety when encountering farm equipment, not just during traditional planting and harvest seasons. As farmers across the Commonwealth engage in double-cropping practices, combining wheat harvest with soybean planting, the presence of combines and planters on roadways increases. This innovative approach, pioneered in Kentucky, allows farmers to cultivate both crops on the same acreage within a single year, boosting productivity and farm revenue.
With approximately 25 percent of Kentucky's soybean production dedicated to double-crop soybeans, the significance of this practice cannot be overlooked. The state yielded nearly 99 million bushels of soybeans across 1.9 million acres in 2022, contributing substantially to both yield and farm gate revenue.
Rural residents and drivers are urged to exercise heightened awareness when encountering farm equipment on the roads. Farm machinery operates at slower speeds and often requires wide turns, necessitating patience and caution from other motorists. Recognizing the vital role of Kentucky's farm families, it is crucial for drivers to prioritize road safety and share the road responsibly.
The Kentucky Soybean Board's message serves as a reminder that road safety around farm equipment is a year-round responsibility. By being mindful and considerate, motorists can contribute to the well-being of both farmers and themselves, fostering safer and more cooperative road-sharing practices.
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Categories: Kentucky, Rural Lifestyle