Hay salvage operations are set to start up soon, as some farmers are looking to get a bit of extra feed from roadsides.
In Saskatchewan, the season opens for everyone on July 8, with Alberta producers needing permits to cut along highways.
As slow-moving farm equipment gets to work, SGI Communication Consultant Michaela Solomon says people should keep their eyes open.
"With people working at the roadside, it really highlights the appointments of driving without distraction and with due care and attention. One thing we want to make sure motorists are doing, especially on the highway, constantly, constantly scan the road ahead to watch for hazards. This is especially important with farmers and their machinery in the ditches working on trimming away some of that hay this weekend and in the days ahead."
People will also need to be ready for slower-moving vehicles on roadways as the cutting and growing seasons continue.
"When it comes to farming machinery, if we're on the highway around farming equipment, keep in mind that farm machinery is slow moving. So you'll come up on it quickly when you're driving at highway speeds if it's traveling on the highway as well. If it's at the side of the highway," said Solomon, "Just make sure you're driving with caution and without distraction as you pass them to give them the space that they need to be safe."
"You're more likely to see farm machinery on grid roads. Grid roads are narrower and offer drivers less space to pass, so just make sure you're hanging back. If you see a piece of machinery ahead of you heading back to stay out of its blind spot and if you're going to pass, don't pass unless it's safe to do so. Take it easy, take it slow, drive with caution, and enjoy the scenic country views."
An important aspect of going around rural areas while those machines are running is patience.
"It's important to be patient and remember that the person driving or towing the farm equipment is likely just going a short distance, so they're probably just going from one field to another. If you're stuck behind them you probably won't be behind them for that long."
"A lot of farming machinery doesn't have turn signals," said Solomon, "Drivers preparing to pass from equipment, just make sure that the farmer isn't about to turn left into a field when you're going to pass them. You can maybe look down the road and anticipate where the farmer might be going based on the location of the turns into the fields and once again when you do pass just give them plenty of space."