Ag Expo: ‘Farmers Haven’t Stopped, Neither Will We’
The virtual show will kick off a year-long approach to providing opportunity for exhibitors and content for farmers.
Read moreAuthor: Kristi Ruggles
Shipping Containers for Ag in Short Supply
U.S. retail demand for imports has pushed container freight rates from China to the U.S. West Coast beyond $4,000 per container. Meanwhile, the average price to ship goods by container from Los Angeles to Shanghai has been $518. That’s creating a pinch for farm exports.
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Farmers Pull Back Slightly on Plans to Buy Equipment
While farmers remained relatively optimistic about making large capital investments in their operations soon, the survey revealed shifts upward among groups intending to hang onto their equipment a bit longer or reduce purchases.
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Asia Pacific Countries Sign Trade Pact
The agreement, called the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, or RCEP, creates a regional bloc that covers around a third of global economic output.
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Farm Equipment Index Hits Highest Mark Since 2013
The November farm equipment sales index increased to its highest level since December 2013, reflecting improvements in commodity prices, support from the federal government, and historically low interest rates.
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IRS Makes Consequential Change to PPP Rules
The IRS is disallowing tax deductions on PPP expenses if a company “reasonably believes” that a loan may be forgiven.
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Equipment Trend Lags Gender Trend in Ag
More than a third of farmers are women. They use equipment designed for a male frame, which increases the likelihood of in jury and slows their productivity. Businesses are surfacing to meet their unique needs.
Read moreDealer News: Earnings, Acquisitions
Titan saw an overall gain in its ag sales division in the third quarter. A group of dealer associations canceled their joint annual meeting. Acquisitions continue.
Read moreRegulatory Onslaught Hits California Soon
Association members should stay abreast of new legal obligations in California. Attorneys who focus on HR law offer their thoughts here.
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Association Elects Directors, Officers
Matt Westendorf will lead the Association as its president in 2021. The officers and directors elected come from companies that represent a collective 334 years of membership in the Association.
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WSJ Commentary: What Biden May Mean for Business
What might a new administration mean to trade, taxes, and COVID-19?
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‘Help Me Help You’ Remember That Line?
We are creating new ways to be of value to the shortline industry and our members, and we are asking you to help define our direction. Please take five minutes to complete a membership survey.
Read moreAlamo Group Reports Record Net Sales
Alamo Group’s net sales for the quarter that ended Sept. 30 increased by 7.3 percent compared to the same quarter last year. Net sales in the agriculture division increased by 2 percent.
Read morePresident of Woods Equipment to Retire
Jerry Johnson will retire Dec. 31. Succeeding him will be Todd Hall.
Read moreFast Ag Solutions Returns to Family in Sale
An investment group has bought Fast Ag Solutions, its product lines, and its facilities. The company will be led by Cody Fast.
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How Did Candidates Influential to Ag Fare?
Fifteen-term incumbent Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) did not prevail in his race last week, which means the House Ag Committee will no longer be represented by someone hailing from one of the more agriculturally-focused districts in the country.
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In Other Election News for Ag …
Agriculture committees in both the the U.S. Senate and House are headed for change based on last week’s election results.
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Illinois Manufacturers Gain in Judge Elections
Illinois saw two huge judicial races on the ballot last week, and the results of both were good for manufacturers.
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Farmers’ Willingness to Invest in Capital Hits Record
Fewer farmers report a reluctance to spend on equipment and more report a likelihood that they will.
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Ag Economist Flinchbaugh Dies
A farmer once said to Flinchbaugh: “I do not agree with a damn thing you said, but the next time you are in town making a speech, I will be here.”
Read moreNet Sales See Big Bump in AGCO’s Q3
AGCO saw increased sales in high horsepower tractors, hay equipment, and precision planting products.
Read moreSales Rise by 9 Percent at Rocky Mountain
Total equipment inventory fell by 29.5 percent in the first nine months of 2020.
Read moreCNHi Revises Forecast Upward
The company expects sales to fall 10 to 15 percent this year. Guidance from July project a drop as high as 20 percent.
Read moreDealer News: Papé Buys Washington Tractor
Papé Machinery’s Agriculture and Turf division will now have 35 locations on the West Coast.
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Government Swamped with PPP Fraud Claims
The SBA found that tens of thousands of ineligible companies received PPP loans. The FBI has opened several hundred investigations that involve hundreds of millions of dollars.
Read moreRocky Mountain Strikes Deal to Go Private
A numbered company controlled by chairman Matthew Campbell and CEO Garrett Ganden has agreed to buy shares they do not currently own.
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COVID Claims Commodity Classic
A virtual event is being planned for the first week in March.
Read moreEMDA Elects Officers, Directors
Kent Zimmerman with John Day Company will lead the Equipment Marketing & Distribution Association in 2021.
Read moreNew Dicamba Approved
The decision comes after the EPA reviewed 65 new studies as well as all literature and consulted with experts.
Read moreHardi, Equipment Technologies to Consolidate
Hardi North America and Equipment Technologies (ET) have agreed that, in coming months, Hardi’s manufacturing operations will be consolidated with ET’s Apache AS and HS brands.
Read moreCNH Acquires Stake in Zasso Group
The transaction aligns with CNH Industrial’s plan to strengthen its product portfolio of AGXTEND.
Read moreJudge Upholds Portion of Dealer Protection Law
The bill addresses tractor manufacturer contract issues that would create numerous challenges for dealers. It also enhances existing law in other areas, acccording to the Pioneer EDA.
Read moreVirtual Meeting Link – Annual Business Meeting
Members who tune in Wednesday to the annual business meeting and director elections will get a sneak peak at what’s in store for Supply Summit 2021.
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USDA Awards $7 Billion to Farmers in September
Since CFAP 2 enrollment began on September 21, FSA has approved more than 443,000 applications. The top five states for payments are Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Illinois and Kansas.
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Rural Mainstreet Index Rises to Pre-Pandemic Level
Since falling to a record low in April, the Rural Mainstreet Index has increased for six straight months. The farm equipment sales index improved this month, too.
Read moreNebraska Ag Expo Is a ‘Go’
The Nebraska Ag Expo has the go-ahead from its local health department to host the event.
Read moreOmni USA Consolidates Its Brands
The change addresses the growing interdependence of the firm’s separate technologies to offer complete solutions for modern powertrains, the company said.
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Find ASABE Braking Webinars on YouTube
The webinars cover the requirements of the standard and explain the braking force needed for towed equipment.
Read moreASABE Publishes Standard On Distillers Dried Grains
The standard summarizes key data related to physical and chemical properties of one of the most widely produced feed commodities globally: distillers dried grains with solubles.
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PPP Loan Forgiveness: A Q&A
The Small Business Administration in August started accepting applications to have Paycheck Protection Program loans forgiven. Here are some things to know.
Read moreNucor Steel Builds in Kentucky
Nucor Corporation broke ground on a new steel plate manufacturing mill in Brandenburg Ky., last week.
Read moreDealer News
Atlantic Tractor will take over what has been Mechanicsville Building Supply in Maryland.
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Poor Pinot: Wildfires Affect Grapes
Smoke damage to the grapes may make them worthless for wine. Ash has coated fruits and vegetables. Worker health also is at risk.
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Success of Tariffs an Unanswered Question
President Trump’s trade war against China did not reverse a U.S. decline in manufacturing, economic data show. Administration officials point out nonetheless that the tariffs have succeeded in forcing China to agree to a phase one trade deal.
Read moreEDA Elects Director, Vice Chair
Eric Mason of Mason Machinery will serve as director. Ross Morgan of H&R Agri-Powers will serve as vice chair.
Read moreCalifornia Workers Can Use Sick Days as Kin Care Days
California has revised a labor code to give employees the right to designate sick leave for caring for family and obtaining relief if victimized by violence, assault, or stalking.
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‘Nuclear’ Verdicts Rise in Trucking Lawsuits
Nick Saeger, associate vice president for pricing and underwriting at Sentry Insurance, said “social inflation” is contributing to the growth of these high-
dollar awards as plaintiffs’ attorneys seek to play on the jurors’ emotions to drive the verdict, regardless of facts.
Borrowing Among Farmers Slows in Q3
Loans for operating expenses increased by 15 percent from last year but were less than the three preceding years.
Read moreCAT Announces Changes at the Top
Caterpillar has announced changes to its executive office.
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