2014 LOGAN COUNTY FARM OUTLOOK MAGAZINE LINCOLN DAILY NEWS.com November 4, 2014 39
various factors in this decision brought a
variety of responses.
Several area farmers still use tandems,
grain trucks, or wagons to haul their grain.
Others now own semis, though some still
contract out, hiring truck companies or
others with trucks to help with hauling the
grain.
The Illinois Department of Agriculture
states that “Illinois has a competitive edge
over many other states due to its central
location and superior transportation
system” that allows for “fast and efficient”
hauling. An article on “Corn Movement
in Illinois” notes that as far as “total
production,” Illinois ranks “second”
nationally as the farmers “grow more than
2 billion bushels of corn per year.”
With that much corn to haul, having a semi-
truck that can ship longer distances can be a
definite asset.
When weighing in whether to purchase
a semi for transporting the grain, cost
is certainly a factor. Taking into effect
labor, fuel and lubrication, tires, repairs,
taxes, insurance, license, depreciation and
interest; operation costs per year can range
anywhere from $15,000 to $100,000.
Still, as Laura Bedford notes in her article,
Semi Pro, “as farmers continually look
for the most efficient, low-cost ways to
bring crop to market, more have turned to
investing in a semi. Today, these massive
grain movers have become an integral part
of many farming operations.”
The semi allows them to haul more grain at
once and it can also travel further distances
than grain wagons. During the winter
months, they can also use it to haul the
grain in order to fill grain contracts. It also
means the farmer does not have to wait
to hire a truck when they are in demand
during the busy harvest season.
For farmers who own several acres of
ground, it is an asset to have a semi
available at all times.
Owning a semi does seem to have its
advantages. For example, area farmer John
Klemm said that with having a semi,
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