AGI’s CFO to Leave Position
The Board of Directors for AGI has begun a search to find a successor for CFO Steve Sommerfeld.
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Author: Kristi Ruggles
Buhler Consolidates Production
Buhler will expand operations in Willmar, Minn., and cease production in Fargo, N.D.
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Need ‘Social Distance’ Visual Reminders?
Member Company Muir Omni Graphics has window clings, floor markers, and other products that remind employees to mitigate risk.
Read moreDun-Lap Digital & Screen Graphics Rebranded as Vernon Graphic Solution
Dun-Lap Digital & Screen Graphics has rebranded as Vernon Graphic Solutions.
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How to Respond to Positive Cases
The infection rate in rural communities increased by 170 percent in a month-long span. Know how to respond at your plant.
Read moreFewer Businesses Apply for Second Round of PPP
As of late last week, more than 40 percent of the funds remained available in the Paycheck Protection Program. That is in stark contrast to the rapid depletion of the fund in the first stimulus package.
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KCoe Offers Guidance on Keeping, Applying for PPP
Every PPP borrower should answer—and document responses—to these questions, and remember, if you have questions, your membership entitles you to a no-cost, confidential consultation with an expert.
Read moreDeere, UAW Negotiate to Keep Plants Operating
Deere agreed to provide paid sick leave to employees who thought they might have been exposed to the virus but did not get tested and offered other safety measures that kept the plant operating.
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Member Companies Adjust, Prioritize Communication
Operations at member companies throughout North America have changed dramatically to reflect our new normal.
Read moreAlamo Group Reports on Q1
Alamo Group’s net sales for the first quarter of 2020 increased by 20 percent compared to the same quarter in 2019. Net sales for the company’s Agricultural Division decreased by 4.4 percent.
Read moreCongress Discusses Next Stimulus, Payments Coming for Farmers
Direct payments should be on their way soon to farmers. Meanwhile, lawmakers discuss support to small businesses as part of a new round of stimulus funding.
Read moreCNH Releases Q1 Numbers
Net sales were down for the first quarter due to impact of the coronavirus.
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Friendly Reminder: Benchmark Survey Due Soon
You will receive an email nudge this week from the folks at Industry Insights reminding you to submit your information next week for the 2020 Business Profile & Financial Performance study.
Read moreAg In Motion Becomes Virtual Event
Ag In Motion Discovery Plus is July 21 to 25. The digital format is in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read moreAlamo Group Reports Q1 Results
Alamo Group’s net sales for the first quarter of 2020 increased by 20 percent compared to the same quarter in 2019. Net income for the quarter increased by 1.8 percent.
Read moreCanada’s Ag in Motion Expo to Become Digital Show
The sixth annual Ag in Motion, an outdoor farm expo in Western Canada hosted by Glacier FarmMedia, has been replaced this year by a digital expo.
Read moreLawmakers to Focus on Small Businesses This Week
Proposals include extending the timeline on PPP and allowing businesses to use more of the funds for overhead. Some lawmakers want to create new funding vehicles.
Read moreWhite House Doubles Down on Supply Chain in China
A longstanding priority for the president has become a “whole of government” push amid what officials call a “perfect storm.”
Read moreDeere Pauses Production, Lays Off Workers
The pause in production is expected to last 15 days. It is the result of disruption in the supply chain and weakened demand.
Read moreMajority of States Begin to Reopen
At least 30 states have started to allow some businesses to operate or announced plans to do so in May. Find the status of every state on the Association’s web site.
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Trade Groups Want to Delay Start of USMCA
The much-celebrated USMCA has become a worry for some as the July 1 start date approaches while the world responds to COVID-19.
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Hemp Appears Immune to Coronavirus
Upheaval in the supply chain has been less disruptive to hemp growers than more traditional producers. Pandemic restrictions may even be driving up CBD sales.
Read moreBenchmark Survey Deadline Extended to Due May 22
The company report includes a one-page summary and breaks out 17 key criteria such as net profit margin, payroll as a percent of net sales, and cash cycle. Participants also get a data comparison to participating companies of similar size.
Read moreMember Resources Bring Added Value During Virus
As member companies continue to face a new reality, the Association wants to remind you of a service always available to regular members and a new, virus-specific service.
Read moreMissing Mailed Shortliner? It Will Be Back.
The past several issues of Shortliner have been digital-only. That will change when more of us are again working in offices.
Read moreDealer News
A group in Idaho has expanded its footprint throughout the northern part of the state.
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Your Local Talent Pipeline May Be Gaining Strength
The Association has contributed $28,000 over two years to support teachers pursuing training that will help them equip high school students with skills for careers in farm equipment. See the list of winners, and let us know if we can make an introduction.
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Employers Must Now Use New I-9 Form
Employers had until last week to completely transition to the revised form. Find the new form here.
Read moreBKT Adopts Mitigation Plan, Resumes Production in India
The company has introduced a series of safety protocols, including providing housing to workers.
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Sales Fall at Rocky Mountain
Sales decreased 24.7 percent compared to the same quarter last year. Among challenges: China’s canola embargo, rail protests, farmer hesitation, and COVID-19.
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ASABE Revises Standard for Ladders, Walkways
The revisions bring the standard into alignment with an update from OSHA and modern ladder requirements.
Read moreNebraska, Iowa Farm Shows Get New Names
Show Director Tom Junge said the names “better reflect the evolution of agriculture and our farm shows.”
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Farmers’ Moods Reflect National Mood of Caution
Data released Tuesday shows that the optimism farmers felt after the 2016 election has all but faded as a result of uncertainty around COVID-19.
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Payroll Protection Funding to be Replenished Quickly
Analysts anticipate that the new fund could be depleted by early next week. Association members who have not yet pursued the forgivable loans are urged to act quickly. A new member benefit that offers no-cost consultations with experts on the loan process can help.
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Members Receive No-Cost Consults on Payroll Loans
In partnership with KCoe Isom, the Association is offering members no-cost, 60-minute consultations with experts on business and financial questions related to COVID-19.
Read moreKcoe Offers Tips on How to Use Loans, Debt Forgiveness
Kcoe Isom has compiled answers to frequently asked questions related to Payroll Protection Program.
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Farmers to Receive Cash Payments, Mass Purchases
The White House announced a $19 billion economic rescue package for farmers and ranchers. The plan calls for making cash payments to producers as well as mass purchases of commodities to be distributed to food banks.
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Ethanol Industry Excluded from Farm Relief Package
USDA’s $19 billion aid plan doesn’t include any money for ethanol, despite an all-out push by the industry. Secretary Perdue said there simply wasn’t enough money to go around.
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Lawmakers Propose More Workplace Virus Protections
The new standards would require companies to develop protocols for each element of an entire program. The so-called emergency temporary standard would give regulators the power to issue citations or fines.
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Virus Idles Steel Plants
U.S. mills are operating at 56 percent of capacity, down from 80 percent in 2019, and steel output across the country has fallen by a third in three weeks.
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China Still Expected to Dial Up Soy Purchases
China’s hog herd is recovering well from African swine fever. The country is expected to accelerate soybean purchases from the U.S. between May and August.
Read moreACI Opens Tennessee Facility
The new facility will better serve ACI’s East Coast and southeastern U.S. customers.
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Shortline Industry Resources
See the latest on state and federal regulations and other need-to-know information for members.
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More Funding for Small Business Certain But Stalled
Lawmakers agree that small business businesses need more in a COVID-19 rescue package, but negotiations stalled over details. Resolution is expected this week.
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Opinion: Unemployment Pay Hike May Drive Up Wages
The extra $600 benefit enacted by Congress is overkill for many workers, leading to perverse incentives.
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Resource Recap: Programs for Small Businesses
Small businesses have a number of resources to consider as part of a massive response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Forbes has developed a list of state, federal and community services and updates it frequently. Find it here.
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Q1 Sales Rise at Art’s Way
The company enjoyed top-line growth in every segment during the quarter that ended Feb. 29, but COVID-19 has dashed optimism for a strong 2020.
Read moreVermeer Announces Intermittent Shutdowns
Vermeer plans to schedule intermittent shutdowns in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting reduction in product demand.
Read moreBridgestone Reopens North American Plants
Bridgestone Americas reopened its North American manufacturing plants after temporarily shutting down in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
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CDC: How to Handle Workers Who Have Been Exposed
Essential workers who have been exposed to the coronavirus can continue to come to work but must observe this practices.
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