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Over the last year, we have seen several disturbing examples of what can occur when public policy issues emerge in states where this Association has very few, if any member companies. No manufacturing facility, no owners, no employees, no tax base and no voters will always equal… no influence on the outcome.

In New Hampshire, we watched the legislature pass and the governor sign into law legislation that defined almost every form of farm equipment as a motor vehicle, all in an effort to impose state control of the relationship between the manufacturer and dealer.

In Maine the Governor and legislature are responsible for a new law designed to shield Maine’s equipment dealers from bearing the very costs they continue to bring on themselves and their customers through their support of state legislative mandates.

The above states have more than geographical location in common. Our Association lacked members in either state who could raise their voice in opposition to the one-sided, and in New Hampshire’s case, likely unconstitutional proposals.

With strong member support in Wisconsin, we believe there is an excellent chance for our members’ voice to be heard and to ensure that common sense and reason find their place into the discussion of how the state will regulate the use of farm equipment on its public roadways.

Legislation in the form of a preliminary draft bill has been made public, which would amend Wisconsin statutes regarding the movement of farm equipment on the public roads of Wisconsin. A copy of the proposal is available at or by calling the Association office.

This legislation addresses the height, length, width and weight of farm equipment that will be allowed to use the public roads of Wisconsin and in some cases, requires special permitting and escort vehicles.

I have written to both of the bills’ sponsors, assuring them of our efforts to share this preliminary proposal with our members in Wisconsin, and throughout North America, and asking them to allow time for our members, and their engineers, to provide input on the impact this legislation would have on the equipment they manufacture.

The current proposal is complex and requires far more than a cursory review to insure the products you manufacture today can be delivered to your local dealers, transported to the end user and moved by the farmer/rancher to their fields for the intended use.

We have asked the sponsors to pay particular consideration to the needs of small manufacturers, who must be assured that becoming compliant with new legislation, they are not building equipment beyond the scope of accepted industry safety standards.

We fully understand this is a very busy time of year for all of our members. However, we also believe that we have a very limited window in which to make the case for needed modifications in this legislation.

Member Action Needed: We would like the input of all members, even those who do not currently sell products in Wisconsin, to review the proposal and provide us with any specific objections you may have. Other states in the region will be watching what happens in Wisconsin, so we need to ensure the outcome is one we can live with in any state or province.

Wisconsin Members Needed: For our members in Wisconsin, please quickly contact your representatives in the state assembly, asking them to simply withhold support from any proposed changes in statutes involving Implements of Husbandry until you are able to read and understand the full effect of the legislation.

Our office is ready to help provide the contact information you will need to make these calls. Simply give us a call at 314.878.2304 or email Vernon@FarmEquip.org with both your home and full business address.

We look forward to helping make your voice heard on this important issue, and will keep you updated on any changes. – By Vernon Schmidt, Executive Vice President of the ¹û¶³ÊÓƵ.