2020 Fall Farm Outlook

PAGE 26 2020 Logan County Farm Outlook LINCOLN DAILY NEWS October 28, 2020 “Drivers of farm semi-trucks are referred to as a farm vehicle driver under the law. However, there is a limitation for the length of driving. The rules are set out by the Department of Transportation, but individual states may have slightly varying laws. “The general rule is farmers can drive a semi-truck up to 150 air miles away from the farm without a commercial driver’s license. However, if the 150-mile radius means you’ll have to travel across the state border, then you’ll need a commercial driver’s license and the same rules that apply to truck drivers will apply to your farm tractor-trailer. The reason behind this rule is the notion of interstate commerce. That is why farmers cannot sell transport services of their semi-trucks to the public or even other farmers for that matter. “Furthermore, the semi-truck-trailer must be driven by a farm member, worker on the farm, or a member of the farmer’s family.” The CDL opens the doors for a driver to become his or her own agent, hiring out to a variety of companies for a variety of jobs. Investing in a vehicle then becomes more attractive for the CDL holder because he or she can negotiate rates, set the parameter of the trips they will do and choose what types of freight they will transport. This is good for the farm because the driver as an independent agent with his or her own truck is contracted and is not officially an employee of the farm. This saves dollars for the farm by eliminating wage and fringe, insurances and other expenses directly related to the driver as an employee. Heartland is proud of the success they have seen in the driving school. Coughlin said, “While Heartland does not track where our students go after completing our program, many of them stay in touch with instructors. On a regular basis, former students send photos of their trucks and share updates on how they are doing. HCC is happy when students go into the workforce with their CDL in hand.” Trucking companies will also benefit from the increased number of drivers in the area. With drivers aging out, as mentioned earlier, there is going to be a demand for younger drivers who are willing to work in a variety of conditions. Those same trucking companies will also benefit from the increased need for grain haulers locally. Tying the two together – new drivers and new business – will be good for the overall economy in Logan County. “The successes we most enjoy are when students get hired by driving companies with a good reputation. When students tell us they are both earning more and are enjoying where they work, we couldn’t be happier,” Coughlin concluded. So the bottom line is: Is there a shortage of drivers – yes. Is it being addressed locally – yes. For the ag industry the knowledge that trucking is still going strong in Logan County and there is potential for future drivers on the horizon has to be a good thing. [Nila Smith]