Harvest has begun

It's harvest time once again in Iowa

The harvest season is upon us again. Time for tractors to be cruising the highways and gravel roads once again. This time of year means many things for Iowans. Motorists get angry at times over the slow tractors, family’s get separated for months while they work countless hours bringing in the harvest. One more point for motorists, the ever present danger from deer will continue to increase as they are being pushed from summer area’s by the harvest, and that could possibly force more of them to cross highways.

Silage chopping of corn, and the seed corn crop have already been busy. Farmers also attempting to get their last cuttings from their hay fields. Iowa corn crop has gotten mature quickly this year with a combination of so many hot days it forced quicker maturation. This could provide to lower yield on some crops.

Iowa’s soybean fields are mostly green still, and the harvest for that will come after they have finally yellowed and then dried up.

A quick call to the local elevator tells the story, busy.

So this fall, when your stuck behind that tractor, think of the person in the cab that has been working 12 hours already today, not had supper and is missing the family, church and all those other functions that your racing off to do.

Remember, with the fields being harvested, the deer will be on the move. Also mid October the rut season for deer will begin and they will be running wild and not paying much attention to anything. Drivers just need to be aware of those area’s that are high density deer areas slow down, and even when one is sighted might be to repeated honk the horn versus one long blast. Also to be aware that where there is one, the is usually more, so if one animal crosses expect to see more. Thanks to Department of Natural Resources officer Mike Ryan for the advice and information on helping to avoid deer during this time of the year.