AVON, S.D. (WNAX) – Some South Dakota truckers are being fined for exceeding hay height restrictions. They say the 23-year-old law is just now being enforced. At the District 1 Farmers Union meeting, the group passed a resolution to increase the permitted hay height to 15 feet, 6 inches. Josh Schmidt produces and transports hay from his farms near Avon and Sioux Falls. He says the current height of only 14 feet 3 inches isn’t practical.

He says the law needs to be changed immediately to match higher levels in other states.

Schmidt says they’ve contacted the Governor’s office for help and have not received a response.  They’ve also contacted the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association. Executive Director Jodie Anderson says they’re also concerned and looking into the matter.

Anderson says their goal is to work with state officials on a solution.

A response from the State Department of Public Safety says the Highway Patrol is just enforcing the law which sets a maximum height for hay at 14 feet, three inches. A violation is a Class 2 misdemeanor.