12/05/08 Potato Commission part of drive for increased trucking efficiency

Farm and Ranch December 5, 2008 The Washington State Potato Commission recently joined a new coalition that supports federal policy changes that would increase trucking efficiency. Commission Director of Trade Matt Harris says the coalition is seeking the changes through the reauthorization of the Highway Bill. Harris: "What we are looking at is increasing the current federal highway weight of 80-thousand gross vehicle weight to 97,000 gross vehicle weight." Harris says there would be an additional third axle to distribute the weight more evenly and reduce highway wear. The third axle also provides additional braking power for faster and straighter stops. Harris says the potato industry is held captive by not being able to fully utilize rail transportation and has to rely on trucking. Harris: "We'll typically ship 850 cartons of fresh potatoes per movement. And there are 50 pounds per carton so you are looking at over 42-thousand pounds. When you are given that increased capacity, when you can go to 97-thousand pounds, a shipper could gain almost 19% in moving more potatoes to market." Harris says not only is trucking efficiency improved for the industry, fewer trucks with larger loads means less fuel use, so lower greenhouse gas emissions, and reduced traffic congestion. That's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report. Brought to you in part by the Washington State Potato Commission. Nutrition today! Good health tomorrow! I'm Bob Hoff on the Northwest Ag Information Network.