Latest Stimulus Increases Dependent Care Maximum
Employees this year can more than double the amount of pre-tax income they direct toward dependent care. Employers who want to allow these new elections should amend their plans.
Read moreAuthor: Kristi Ruggles
Member Anniversaries, New Members
Five member companies mark milestone anniversaries in March. Four others have recently joined the Association.
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Summit Speaker: Ag Exports, China’s Cheating, Remain Trade Priorities
Starling writes that while Biden’s trade policy is different than his predecessor’s in part, “some of the policy signals are indistinguishable from what you might see beneath Trump administration letterhead.”
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Mandating COVID Vaccines: Permissible with Exceptions
The EEOC says employers can mandate vaccines. If an employer chooses to mandate, and an employee refuses a vaccination and does not indicate the refusal is based on a disability or religious conviction, then employers may prohibit returning the employee to on-site work and may consider termination.
Read moreDon’t Want to Mandate? Tips for Encouraging Vaccinations
If you prefer to wait to mandate, consider these behavioral economics tips from Willis Towers Watson to create buy-in among employees.
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Summit: Network Nearby at Power & Light District
The district spans more than eight blocks of restaurants, entertainment, and nightlife. Among the draws to the district are nearly 10 bars that boast big screens for big games. The Summit will be in Kansas City during the second week of the regular Major League Baseball season.
Read moreJoin Us: Operational Excellence Webinar
As companies seek to accelerate production, it becomes increasingly important to know their capacities and capabilities to expedite decision-making and increase product value. Gets tips from consultant Steve Wilson on March 18.
Read moreAgrisolutions Acquires Lundtek
Agrisolutions has acquired Lundtek, Inc., which includes Lund Industrial Group, Lund Engineered Products Division and Lund Coating Technologies.
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Ag ‘Led the Way’ for Alamo in 2020
Alamo sees promising signs in the ag economy as well as challenges tied to operational issues.
Read moreSonntag Retires from S3
Forage Capital Partners and Roynat Equity Partners, impressed by an investor describes as S3’s culture, leadership, and willingness to approach the market differently, purchases Sonntag’s interests.
Read moreBrandt Sustains Generous Tradition in Strange Season
The companies staged a five-day, web-based celebration that culminated in the distribution of $250,000 through a Christmas philanthropic fund.
Read moreASABE to Revise Cotton Module Cover Standard
The major revision will add performance specifications for module covers used on cylindrical modules.
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Farmers Remain Committed to Big Purchases
The Farm Capital Investment Index, which assesses farmers’ willingness to make significant investments, is the third-highest it has been since data collection began in 2015. It is 16 points higher than before the pandemic began.
Read moreCNH Invests in Newcomer Monarch
CNH characterized the partnership as “an important step toward further enhancing long-term sustainability, enabling the world’s farmers and agribusinesses to realize profitable zero-emission farming.”
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Spouses, Guests: Join the Paint Party at KC Summit
Participants will work with an instructor to create a 16-by-20 canvas painting. While every piece of art will reflect the same design, each also will be the unique work of the artist.
Read moreDealer News
Quality Equipment has opened a new location in Pittsboro, N.C.
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U.S. Farmers Are Planting More Row Crops Than Ever
Behind the increase lies a sharp rise in soybean prices over the past eight months—67 percent since June 1. Prices have been lifted by surging demand for U.S. soybeans in China.
Read moreDeere to Close Remanufacturing Plant
John Deere is consolidating its remanufacturing facilities and will shut down a Canadian plant later this year.
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Container Woes: ‘Busiest Period in Trade-Ever’
Group says top-dollar rates for declining service levels cannot continue. Container companies blame some bottlenecks on North American infrastructure.
Read moreKubota Aims to Cut Emissions by 30 Percent
Kubota plans to offer electric versions of mini excavators and compact tractors. The electric equipment will be manufactured in Japan or Germany starting in 2023.
Read moreDealer Law Question? Tap Into a Member Benefit
In the soon-to-be-published inaugural issue of the digital Ag Innovator magazine, distribution attorney Trent Johnson offers pointers on repurchasing equipment from resellers.
Read moreSonntag Retires from S3, Sells His Interests
Sonntag was elected to the Association’s Board of Directors in 2011 and served until 2014. He also was active in other trade associations.
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Farmers Commitment to Big Purchases Remains Strong
The subcategory that measures farmers’ willingness to make big purchases drifted slightly downward but remains impressively high.
Read moreAg ‘Led the Way’ for Alamo Group in Q4
For the quarter, net sales in agriculture increased by 10.5 percent. CEO Ron Robinson reports a strong backlog in ag orders.
Read moreAgrisolutions Acquires Lund Industrial Group
Operations will continue at Lund’s plant in Mississippi under the Agrisolutions name.
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Summit: Now More Than Ever, We Are Better Together
“The elevated industry voice the Association offers is not, in my opinion, the most valuable benefit of membership. What I most appreciate are the opportunities to talk to you.”–Matt Westendorf
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Opinion: ‘Level with Public’
The doctor argues that COVID cases are declining faster than expected in large part because natural immunity from prior infection is far more common than tests can measure.
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KC Eases Restrictions on Bars, Restaurants
The mayor of Kansas City last week lifted a limit on gathering sizes and allowed a return to regular business hours at bars, restaurants and events.
Read moreKinze Lawyers: Deere Can’t Compete on Field so Fights in Court
Attorney: “The only way for Deere to maintain its market share and keep its prices high is to eliminate Kinze from the market entirely, cripple Kinze’s dealer network, or litigate Kinze into submission.”
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Rural Mainstreet: Outlook Soars to Highest in Decade
The February farm equipment-sales index rose to 62.7, its highest reading since February 2013 and up from 54.5 in January.
Read moreTractor/Combine Sales
Tractor sales in Canada increased by 39 percent in January compared to the same month last year. Sales in that same category in the U.S. increased by 24.7 percent.
Read moreValmont Sees Dramatic Increases in Q4, Year
Global sales in the ag irrigation segment increased by 49.8 percent year-over-year. North American sales increased by 14.8 percent.
Read moreBuhler Reports Promising First Quarter
Based on backlog and order activity, the company is optimistic about 2021.
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Vermeer Forms Partnership with BRON
“This agreement positions Vermeer to better help our customers capture more of the underground telecom and energy work that will be required to provide more reliable access to critical infrastructure around the world,” said Dave Wisniewski.
Read moreDeere Posts 23 Percent Gain in Earnings
The company last week reported equipment operation net sales increased by 23 percent for the quarter ending Jan. 31. Net income for the quarter soared by 124 percent.
Read moreEnergy Costs Slow Production at AGCO
The gas bill in February 2019 was $120,000. This month, the company estimates the bill will be between $2 million and $10 million.
Read moreTractor Supply to Buy Orscheln Farm and Home
The all-cash transaction means Tractor Supply will gain 167 stores 11 Midwestern states.
Read moreKubota Revenue Dips for the Year
Domestic revenue fell by a greater percentage than overseas revenue for the Japanese company.
Read moreWestcap Invests in Rocky Mountain
“We are grateful for the support of our employees and customers as we move into this new chapter for Rocky Mountain Equipment,” said CEO Garrett Ganden.
Read moreDealer News
Two dealerships are building new stores.
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Study Finds Gains, Losses in $15 Minimum Wage
The pay raise would mean higher wages for 27 million people but also lead to job loss, higher prices, and a widening federal deficit.
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Texas Farmers, Ranchers, Reel from Winter Blast
Early estimates put crop losses at $300 million. Said one expert: “Peach trees that had started budding, those buds are going to be toast at 15 degrees.”
Read moreSenate Confirms Vilsack as New USDA Chief
USDA’s priorities under Vilsack will include establishing a “new era for equity and fairness” as well as helping end the COVID-19 pandemic and addressing climate change.
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Bipartisan Meeting on Infrastructure ‘Substantive’
President Biden warned that if the U.S. does not invest in the issue, China is “going to eat our lunch.”
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Food Inflation: Production Prices Rising
After a year of disruption throughout the food supply system, farmers, especially those who are raising cattle, hogs and poultry, are getting squeezed by the highest corn and soybean prices in seven years.
Read moreGoodyear to Buy Cooper
The deal nearly doubles Goodyear’s presence in China and broadens distribution for Cooper replacement tires.
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Legislative Watch: Issues Affecting Members
The Association continually monitors state legislation relevant to the shortline farm equipment industry. In past months, it has also begun tracking bills dealing with COVID-19 liability. Here is a snapshot of issues we are following.
Read moreFarm Income to Tumble After Banner 2020
The Economic Research Service of the USDA is forecasting an 8.1 percent decrease in net farm income this year.
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U.S. Seeks Answers in Shipping Crisis
U.S. regulators will order container carriers and port terminal operators to provide information related to container returns and availability.
Read moreAssociation Brings Back Anniversary Listings
The Association had paused its long-standing tradition of publishing the names of companies joining the Association and celebrating membership anniversaries, but we begin again this month.
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