SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Dec. 20, 2012

Media Contact: Jamie Crew, 605-773-4073

Over-Width Baled Livestock Feed Hauling Extended 60 Days In South Dakota

PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Dennis Daugaard has extended an Executive Order to haul over-width baled livestock feed until Feb. 21, 2013, in South Dakota.

The Executive Order states that, upon receipt of a permit, permission is granted to move over-width baled livestock feed not exceeding 12-feet-wide or 15-feet-high for two hours after sunset and two hours before sunrise. The order allows movement of over-width baled livestock feed until cessation of the drought emergency, or no later than Feb. 21.

Over-width vehicles must be equipped with flashing or rotating white or amber warning lights on each side of the load’s widest extremity. The warning lights must be clearly visible to motorists approaching from the front and rear. Movement under the Executive Order is valid only for baled livestock feed.

“This year’s persistent drought conditions have left livestock producers across South Dakota with inadequate feed supplies,” said South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture Walt Bones. “Increasing hauling height and width restrictions for baled hay will allow producers to move feed in a more efficient manner.”

The normal size restriction on South Dakota highway loads is 14-feet, 3-inches high and 8-feet, 6-inches wide.

Although height and width restrictions for baled livestock feed have been temporarily increased by Executive Order, several highways in the state have width and height restrictions in place because of construction or permanent structures that cannot accommodate such large loads. Truckers are encouraged to check their routes ahead of time for those restrictions.

For information on permits, contact a South Dakota port of entry or call 800-637-3255.

Agriculture is South Dakota's No. 1 industry, generating nearly $21 billion in annual economic activity and employing more than 80,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve this industry for today and tomorrow. Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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