Farm Equipment Sales Index Highest Since 2003
After 86 months below growth neutral, the farm equipment sales index bounced into growth territory in December in the Rural Mainstreet Index.
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Author: Kristi Ruggles
MacDon’s Ross to Retire, Other Changes Announced
Ross joined MacDon in 2006 as vice president of operations and has been “instrumental in the successful development and growth of MacDon through these years,” including most recently leading the company after Linamar acquired it.
Read moreAlamo CEO Robinson Prepares to Retire
The company’s board of directors has been preparing for such a transition and anticipates naming a new president and CEO within the next several months.
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Buhler’s Sales Increase in 2020
The company attributed the increase to dealers reducing field inventory in the previous year, strong harvest conditions, and crop yields.
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Surrender Flexibility for Savings in Health Plans?
The Association is considering offering a member service to help companies defray health insurance costs. Some of you like the idea. Others are not sure. Let us know what you think.
Read moreVermeer Studies Machine Wear with Iowa State
“The basic idea of this tool is to process and analyze, in almost real-time, sensor data collected from operating machines to provide transparency to machine health and achieve near-zero breakdown performance,” a university professor said.
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In Memoriam: Clyde Jones
Jones was president of the Association in 1985. His sons and grandson continue to lead the organization he founded with them in 1988.
Read morePower Pin Leaders Retire, Sell Shares to Employees
Retiring founder and president Brian Olson said he and colleague TJ Batke are “confident our employees will take Power Pin to the next level with honesty and integrity.”
Read moreGeringhoff, Fendt Form Partnership
A new partnership between AGCO/Fendt and Carl Geringhoff Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH & Co., will expand Fendt’s range of combine harvester headers.
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Orders Underway for Fully Electric, Driverless Tractor
The tractor, which has a starting price of $50,000, can operate with or without a driver. It begins to ship this fall.
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Ag Bets on Carbon as New Cash Crop
Farmers who participate in the carbon credit programs have generally received between $7 and $40 per acre. An Iowa farmer who received a $75,000 check in November discusses the benefits.
Read moreYear Begins with Changes in Distribution Landscape
The new year arrived with news about mergers and acquisitions in the farm equipment marketplace.
Read moreSouthern Farm Show Cancels
“The idea of a show where everyone is behind a mask, show guests would be required to travel one way through the show to encourage social distancing, and good friends would not be allowed to shake hands, did not appeal to anyone,” the show manager said. “But mainly, our concern was for everyone’s health.”
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Pandemic Likely to Speed Up Rural Internet Investment
“That glaring gap of where you were able to access the technology really hit home,” said a rural internet advocate. “When I talk to members of Congress, they would say it is the first thing that comes up in a townhall.”
Read moreKinze Expands Equipment Distribution Network
Kinze Manufacturing now distributes its planters, tillage equipment and grain carts to dealers in 18 states through an agreement with General Implement Distributors.
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Mileage Reimbursement Decreases This Year
The standard business mileage rate for 2021 is 56 cents per mile, which is down 1.5 cents from 2020.
Read moreJoint Venture Between Mahindra, Ford Called Off
Ford announced the companies’ decision to scrap the joint venture after a Dec. 31 deadline passed. Economic conditions, including those brought on by the pandemic, drove the decision by the two companies.
Read moreChina’s Return to U.S. Poultry Creates Export Boon
China has become a top-two market for U.S. poultry. It is one of the few places on Earth that imports chicken feet.
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Data-Sharing on Drug Tests Affects Trucking Industry
Tens of thousands of drivers have been disqualified in the first year of a clearinghouse program that allows trucking companies to access drug test results for drivers nationwide.
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Farm Equipment Sales Index Highest Since June 2013
After 86 straight months of readings below growth neutral, farm equipment bounced into growth territory for the month.
Read moreNFMS Delays Show, One Member Returns as a ‘Test’
The National Farm Machinery Show has been delayed by seven weeks. Kasco Manufacturing will be there, but VP Paula Kaster considers it a test.
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Soaring Metal Prices Signal Recovery, Drive Up Member Costs
Tim Burenga, a member of the Association’s Board of Directors and executive at Worksaver, says the industry is seeing a “perfect storm” in material prices.
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Steel’s Big Players Move on Acquisitions
United States Steel Corp. will buy the remaining 50.1 percent stake in Big River Steel LLC, giving it ownership of one of the newest, most advanced steel mills in the country. Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. has completed its purchase of ArcelorMittal USA.
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Federal Funds to Farmers: Lopsided Portion of Income
With the boost in government aid, which is on top of the 64 percent increase in 2019, farmers are projected to see a 43 percent increase in net farm income in 2020.
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Fed Plan Unveiled Monday Includes More PPP
The first of the two-part proposal includes funds for another round of the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses, as well as money for the unemployed, schools, and vaccine distribution.
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Here’s What Most Threatens Members’ Profitability
We hope to collect more data to drive our decisions about the best services to offer members. In the meantime, take a look at partial responses to the question about what most threatens profitability at member company plants.
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AGCO Fails in Challenge of Two Patents in Deere Suit
The Patent Trial and Appeal Board characterized AGCO’s arguments as “simplistic and unpersuasive.”
Read moreS3 Enterprises Wins Awards, Launches Legacy Project
S3 took awards in both the product launch and customer brochure categories, which included entries from companies such as Cargill and Bayer Crop Science.
Read moreTitan Sells Facility in Texas
Titan ended production of tires at the site in 2003 and most recently leased the space to multiple tenants.
Read moreWestern Farm Show Cancels, Fort Wayne Delays
In addition to updates in this newsletter, find a continually changing farm show calendar on our website.
Read moreVilsack Expected to Return as USDA Chief
If confirmed, Vilsack will face challenges related to diminished trade, a decline in rural populations, a mandate to combat climate change, and a burdened food stamps program.
Read moreTractor/Combine Sales
November numbers show gains in every category in the U.S. and all but two categories in Canada.
Read moreRoberts Regrets Gridlock, Salutes ‘Freedom to Farm’
In his farewell, he called on his colleagues to “once again become a body of respect, humility, cooperation, achievement, and, yes, friendship.”
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Ag Media Legend Samuelson to Retire
He won more awards than he can count. Among his most cherished is an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Illinois. That’s because he’d dropped out as an undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin after three months.
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Farmers Plant More Wheat Amid Price Rally
U.S. farmers expanded seedings of winter wheat this fall for the first time in eight years.
Read moreLa Niña: ‘Supply Side Wild Card’ for Ag
The natural weather phenomenon known as the cool sister of the higher-profile El Niño is shaking up agriculture for 2021.
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Commentary: Stop the Bleeding in Staff Turnover
You can find out what turnover costs your company using a no-cost online calculator. If the amount alarms you, slow the churn by understanding the causes–not the symptoms–of resignations.
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Avocado Consumption ‘Off the Charts’ During COVID
Anaylsts predict that post-pandemic indulgences will be foods like avocadoes, hence record consumption will continue.
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Farmers in India Stage Government Protests
The farmers are protesting laws that the government says are will create more options for farmers to sell their produce, but farmers say the laws benefit corporate interests.
Read moreMembership Matters: Make the Most of Yours
Want to know how business is this year for other member companies? Early respondents to the 2020 membership survey offer a glimpse here. Check out the data, and join the conversation.
Read moreMembership Offers Benefits, Opportunities
Membership includes easy-to-see, accessible-from-your-desk services, but it also offers an opportunity to learn and network that cannot be easily captured until you experience it.
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Fraudsters Make Cash Hauls with SBA COVID Programs
One family allegedly created 72 phony companies to collect $7.2 million through an SBA program. A person posing as Donald Trump won a $5,000 grant.
Read moreDeere Closes Year Optimistic About Ag in 2021
In the U.S. and Canada, the company’s forecast calls for a 5 to 10 percent gain in sales in farm equipment in the new year.
Read moreAGI Sees Record Third Quarter
North American commercial sales were the exception in an otherwise standout quarter. Farm sales increased by 24 percent.
Read moreRaven Opens New Headquarters, Reports Earnings
The company’s new site will house its precision agriculture solutions operations. In related news, Raven saw a 22 percent jump in net sales in applied technology.
Read moreCNH Announces New CEO
CNH Industrial N.V. has appointed Scott W. Wine as chief executive officer beginning Jan. 4.
Read moreStakeholder in AGCO Seeks Governance Changes
The India-based stakeholder wants AGCO to separate the roles of chairman and CEO. The move comes as AGCO prepares for the current CEO and chairman to retire.
Read moreDeere Buys Software Firm
Harvest Profit, which produces software to help farmers analyze their data and better understand the financial outcomes, will retain its brand name.
Read moreFisher Barton Names New CEO
Fisher Barton has named Scott A. Hoffman as its new CEO. Craig Smith, who has been interim CEO, returns to his role as president of Fisher Barton TST.
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BKT Opens Virtual COVID-19 Health Center
The center is equipped with remote patient monitoring, data analytics on diagnostics and medicine management, remote consultations using augmented reality, and more.
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