Tractors and planters will soon be a common sight on roadways in the region as the 2025 planting season gets underway, and Carroll County Sheriff Ken Pingrey is reminding motorists to keep that in mind while traveling. He says they aren’t seeing much early activity in the fields, but it will pick up soon.
Pingrey adds that tractors and the associated equipment tend to slow down traffic, so people must think twice before trying to pass.
He says it is a good idea, especially for rural commuters, to give themselves a few extra minutes of travel time during planting season so they don’t feel rushed. While most Iowans have heard the safety advice for traveling around farm equipment, it bears repeating.
Pingrey adds that we are a quarter of the way through the year already, and the county has not recorded a fatal car accident so far. He says that’s a trend they’d like to continue for all of 2025. The early plant start date for corn in Iowa was April 10, while the early start date for soybeans is April 15. Most producers typically finish planting by the end of May, barring replants.
