As harvest season gets underway, we know many of our members are logging long hours in the fields, moving large equipment from farm to farm and field to field. It’s a busy time, and we understand the urgency of bringing in the crops while the weather holds. But we also want to remind our farming community to slow down just long enough to take stock of your surroundings — especially when it comes to overhead power lines. 

Each year, electric co-ops respond to incidents in which farm equipment has become tangled in, or even completely taken down, power lines. These situations are more than just inconvenient — they’re dangerous. They pose serious risks to the equipment operator, the traveling public, and our lineworkers. 

Large machinery like grain carts, combines, and augers can easily reach the height of power lines. If you're not paying attention, it's surprisingly easy to snag a line, knock down a pole, or cause lines to sag into roadways or fields. That creates a hazard not only for yourself, but for others who may unknowingly come into contact with energized lines. 

For our lineworkers, these incidents create complex and high-risk situations. Working around damaged equipment and energized lines in unpredictable conditions — often at night or in poor weather — requires extreme caution and skill. We train for it, but prevention is always safer than response. 

There’s also the issue of reliability. When a power line is taken down during harvest, it can disrupt electric service for members across the area. Restoring that power takes time, including replacing poles, restringing lines, and making the site safe again for everyone involved. That’s time we’d rather spend strengthening our system and serving you in other ways. 

Drivers, please be alert. Harvest equipment often travels on public roads at slower speeds than regular traffic. Take extra care when passing, following, or approaching large farm equipment. A few extra seconds of caution can prevent accidents and keep everyone safe. 

Your safety — and the safety of those around you — is our top priority. 

As always, if you have any concerns about equipment height or line clearance, please give us a call before harvest begins. We’ll be glad to help you identify hazards and plan a safe route. 

Here’s to a safe and successful harvest season.