Tractor parades

The advent of tractors helped turn American agriculture into the world's most efficient producer of grain and fiber. Modern tractors are giant workhorses capable of doing as much in one day as teams of mules and horses could accomplish in a month.

Older tractors, especially antique models, have become popular among restorers and those nostalgic for a time when the old John Deere -- or Ferguson or Allis Chalmers or Case or Cub Cadet -- provided the muscle needed to plant, cultivate and harvest crops.

In recent years, farm tractors of yesteryear have been celebrated in special parades. In Southeast Missouri, these parades have stretched over several miles of two-way blacktop highways. But there has been a hitch: In Missouri, tractors are only supposed to be on highways to go from field to field.

That problem was remedied by this year's Missouri Legislature. Gov. Jay Nixon has already signed a law that allow tractor parades on highways and provides for a permit process through the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

In signing the law, which took effect immediately, the governor said, "Agriculture has been the backbone of Missouri's economy ever since statehood, and it's a rich part of our heritage."