Rural Mainstreet Index Improves for September
The index has risen consistently since bottoming out in April. The farm equipment sales index remains in a recessionary zone.
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News
USDA Issues $14 Billion in COVID Relief to Farmers
This is the second round of assistance the administration will send to farmers. It distributed $19 billion earlier this year.
Read moreApprentice Program at McFarlane Gets Attention
Apprentices typically enter the program as teens and are expected to work 450 hours a year. One has become a full-time employee.
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No Handshakes, but Plenty of High-Impact Info
Although we will not gather for convention, we will come together briefly on screen to elect directors and hear from a former White House insider on what’s at stake in the November elections.
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Former Deere Exec Joins Ford
The Deere exec who led efforts to deliver artificial intelligence on the farm has joined Ford. He and the new CEO want Ford’s commercial customers to regularly pay for services, creating a revenue stream that flows throughout the vehicle’s life.
Read moreWorld Ag Expo Calls Off 2021
World Ag Expo announced Monday it will not host its outdoor farm show in 2021.
Read moreDeere’s Lagemann Elects to Retire
The senior vice president of Ag &Turf will retire Oct. 31. Succeeding him will be Dave Gilmore, a 30-year veteran at Deere.
Read moreAGCO to Acquire 151 Research
AGCO has agreed to acquire research and product development firm 151 Research to create new technology solutions for grain customers.
Read moreAg Top-Rated Industry in Gallup Poll
While always among the favorites in this annual survey, agriculture for the first time tops the list of well-like industries. Researchers suggest renewed appreciation because of COVID-19.
Read moreTrump, Biden Square Off on Taxes, Ag Issues
The American Farm Bureau asked the candidates to discuss rural life and health, regulatory reform, trade, and more. In this issue, see the candidates’ platforms on taxes.
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Employers Hesitate to Adopt Payroll Tax Deferral
Beginning this month, employers can stop withholding part of employees’ share of Social Security taxes. The IRS will recoup the funds from employee paychecks in the first four months of 2021.
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Pilot Program Could Ease Interstate Trucker Shortage
The FMCSA is seeking public comments on a proposal that would open more interstate truck-driving jobs to 18-, 19- and 20-year-olds.
Read moreBell Equipment Will Stop Exclusively Selling Deere
Bell will cease to distribute Bell-branded equipment built by Deere. It also will transition to a non-exclusive dealer arrangement with Deere.
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Trump Tweets Good News for Biofuels Industry
Ethanol industry gets a win from Trump administration, but frustrated farmers argue the gesture falls short.
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ASABE Shares Updates on Standards
See the latest from ASABE on new standards and revisions.
Read moreCOVID Claims 2021 World Ag Expo
Tulare, CA – For more than 52 years, World Ag Expo® has served agriculture by bringing buyers and sellers together to
Read moreElkhart Plastics, Inc. Ranked No. 7 Rotomolder in North America
SOUTH BEND, IND. – Elkhart Plastics, Inc. (EPI) ranks at No.7 for overall rotomolding sales in North America in Plastics
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Association Seeks Input on Expanding Member Services
What’s your comfort level with an ethical hacker? Someone who, in the name of helping you prevent a cyber attack, stages a cyber attack to test the strength of your security system? It’s among possibilities for members.
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What Are Your Best Practices in Workforce Development?
The Association is seeking new ways to support members in workforce development. As a first step, we want to hear what’s working where you are.
Read moreTitan Responds to Flap with Goodyear and Use of ‘MAGA’
Titan sought to clarify its relationship with Goodyear after training documents from Goodyear used “MAGA” as an example of unacceptable language on attire.
Read moreQ3 Sales Decline at Deere
Deere plans to spend $435 million this fiscal year on one-time moves, such as employee buyouts, employee reductions, and shuttering a small tractor manufacturing operation in China.
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Low Commodity Prices Add Stress to Tight Farm Budgets
Despite a wind storm tearing through the Midwest and drought conditions in isolated areas, a bumper crop of both corn and soybeans is expected this year.
Read moreAGCO Announces Chairman and CEO Succession
Martin Richenhagen has chosen to retire. Succeeding him in 2021 will be Eric Hansotia, a long-time Deere exec who has been with AGCO since 2013.
Read moreTitan International Reports Ag Sales Down in Q2
In agriculture, net sales for the quarter were down 11.5 percent. For the first six months of 2020, net sales were down by just over 11 percent.
Read moreSeedMaster Announces NEW CEO
Don Henry will lead SeedMaster as new CEO. President Norbert Beaujot describes Henry as “a perfect fit.”
Read morePEER Bearing Recognized as Top Performer
PEER Bearing Company was recognized as a top-performing supplier at AGCO’s North America Virtual Supplier Event.
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New Round of Assistance Expected for Farmers
USDA Chief Sonny Perdue expects to deliver another round of funding to farmers soon through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program.
Read moreKubota Ag Sales Down
In the farm and industrial machinery segment, overseas sales, which include North America, declined by 10.5 percent.
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Unemployment Fraud Is On the Rise
The prevalence of reported fraud is staggering. Georgia found more than 130,000 false claims filed in July. Illinois identified more than 120,000 counts of unemployment insurance fraud in August. Consider these tips to avoid trouble.
Read moreTitan International, Inc. responds to Trump’s suggested Goodyear boycott
QUINCY, Ill., Aug. 19, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Titan International, Inc. (NYSE: TWI), manufacturer of Titan Tires, Titan Wheels and Goodyear® Farm Tires, is responding
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Association Explores Convention Questions
The Board of Directors meets virtually next week to discuss the convention.
Read moreFarm Bureau Lobbies Congress on PPP Tax Issue
The IRS in April issued guidance stating that expenses are not deductible if their payment results in a PPP loan being forgiven. The guidance has been criticized by some key lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, who argue it goes against congressional intent.
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U.S. to Reimpose Aluminum Tariffs in Canada
The White House said certain types of aluminum were surging into the U.S. and depressing the industry. The administration argued that a depressed U.S. aluminum industry threatens national security and imposed a 10-percent tariff.
Read moreGreat Plains Expands in Kansas
The new plant will focus on production of a Kubota compact track loader that’s built in Japan today.
Read moreAGCO Honors Alliance Tire
AGCO recognized Alliance for performance in cost, collaboration, innovation, account management, coordination and flexibility.
Read moreBuhler to Increase U.S. Production
News in the U.S. was good. The company experienced a 37 percent increase in sales for the first nine months of this year. It plans to expand operations in Willmar and cease production in Fargo.
Read moreAlamo Group Sees Dip in Income in Q2
The company reported that agriculture has fared better than industrial so far this year, and North American operations have been less affected by the pandemic than European.
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Nominate New Products for Innovation Award
Panelists are seeking entries that exemplify innovation and represent significant engineering advancement and impact on their markets.
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Waiting for COVID Test Results?
Member companies have turned to testing services that sell home tests and promise results within 72 hours of receiving a sample.
Read moreDeere Reductions Continue
The decision came immediately after a second round of buyouts for salaried employees concluded. The company cites its smart industrial redesign as driving the changes.
Read moreAGCO’s Net Sales Flat in North America
Increased sales of hay equipment, precision planting equipment and high horsepower tractors were mostly offset by lower sprayer and grain and protein sales.
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Iowa Receives Disaster Declaration After Derecho
The state estimates that hundreds of millions of bushels of commercial grain storage and tens of millions of bushels of on-farm grain storage were lost in the storm.
Read moreRocky Mountain Sees Results with Focus on Used Machines
The dealerships reported a 9.9 percent increase in sales compared to the same quarter last year, largely due to higher sales of used equipment.
Read moreSunbelt Ag Expo Calls It Off
The expo plans to return for its 2021 show and encourages those who would have attended this year to participate through social media.
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Farmer Bankruptcies Rise
About 580 farmers filed for bankruptcy protection during the 12 months ending in June 30. That was 8 percent more than the previous year.
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Matt Rice Joins Association as Membership Director
His work on behalf of the residents of Congressman John Shimkus’s district has given him a unique understanding of the farm equipment industry, agriculture, and the rural Midwest.
Read moreAlamo Group Sees Dip in Income in Q2
Net sales in the Agricultural Division were down for the second quarter and first half of the year. The division’s income from operations as a result of cost control and a favorable product mix.
Read moreFDA Reiterates Warning About Dangerous Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers Containing Methanol
FDA NEWS RELEASE Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Reiterates Warning About Dangerous Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers Containing Methanol, Takes Additional Action to Address Concerning Products Agency Urges
Read moreCNH Reports 2Q Results
Net Ag sales down 18% for Quarter Agriculture’s net sales totaled $2.5 billion in the second quarter of 2020, down
Read moreBill Would Reduce, Extend Unemployment Benefit
The plan would expand a worker-retention tax credit created in March, make $190 million available to small businesses through the Paycheck Protection Program, and send a second round of stimulus checks.
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