With the weather being more dry than usual, crops have started to mature faster, and farmers are beginning to harvest sooner.

Guthrie County Sheriff Marty Arganbright tells Raccoon Valley Radio that since the dry conditions are causing farmers to start harvest earlier, motorists need to be aware earlier than usual, in case they come across farm machinery.

“Like we’ve talked about before. The machinery now is as big as it’s ever been. That machinery doesn’t go with the flow as far as speed limits, with traffic. So when you come up behind a combine or large wagon with (a) tractor or any kind of implement like that, you need to be prepared to slow down, stay behind it until it’s a safe place to pass. Everybody needs to have a little patience when they’re dealing with large machinery, (and) be prepared to stop.”

Arganbright says that some other things people need to pay attention for while out driving are deer that have been spooked out of their regular hang out spots, and intersections with fields on all sides. He mentions that even with the drought conditions, corn grew well this year, and at intersections with fields all around, especially uncontrolled intersections, drivers need to make sure to watch out for each other, because it can be hard to see other vehicles.