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Compiled by Seth Teter

State lawmakers have responded to a major improvement in farming technology by approving a law that allows high-speed tractors to operate on Ohio roadways.

Currently, farm machinery cannot exceed speeds of 25 mph on public roads and must display a slow-moving vehicle (SMV) emblem.

"Most people are familiar with the orange, triangular sign that is on slower-moving tractors," said Larry Gearhardt, Ohio Farm Bureau senior director of local affairs. "Now we have tractors that are going up to 45 miles an hour, and it's a violation of the law for that tractor to go that fast and use an orange, triangular sign."

Acting on a bill sponsored by Ohio Rep. Jim Carmichael, R-Wooster, the House voted 97-0 in favor of letting faster tractors travel on public roads. The bill is awaiting a Senate vote.

The law would require fast tractors to display a speed identification symbol (SIS). The SIS indicates the maximum speed the tractor is capable of traveling and would be in addition to the SMV emblem.

OFBF backed the legislation because farmers could use newer tractors, capable of much higher speeds, to move equipment between fields more efficiently. Farmers also say the fast tractors are safer because they are better able to keep up with traffic.

Without the law, farmers such as Roger Baker of Wayne County could be put in a tough spot. In a recent interview with OFBF's television program Ohio Farm and Country, Baker explained that he moves his equipment up to 40 miles between fields. He described how a traffic accident finally convinced him to switch to high-speed machinery.

"Out on the (road) we were doing 18 to 20 mile an hour; they were doing 55 to 60. And one day a semi connected with us. So at that point we decided, all right, we're going to try going down this road," Baker said.

The law would require a farmer to carry documentation of the tractor's speed from the manufacturer. Fast tractor drivers would also have to hold a valid driver's licenses, a condition not required for operators of slower moving farm machinery.

Last September at Farm Science Review, Ohio State University researchers conducted a survey, where farmers were asked their opinions on high-speed tractors. Wayne Dellinger, OSU program coordinator of agricultural safety and health, put together the survey, which asked farmers if they feel a unique symbol would be appropriate for a high-speed tractor and if the SMV emblem belonged on a tractor that was going over 25 mph.

Dellinger reported that 92 percent of the respondents thought this topic was moderate to very important to them. Sixty-two percent thought a unique identification symbol belonged on these tractors if they are going to go over 25. And 60 percent thought that the SMV symbol also belongs on these tractors going over 25.