Need Help Getting Workers? Use This Tax Credit.
Some larger employers have been offering hiring bonuses. But can small businesses afford the same? Thanks to a little-known federal tax program, the answer could be yes.
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‘No Company Safe’ from Cybercrime, Sentry Offers Help
“Cybersecurity will be the issue of this decade in terms of how much worse it is going to get,” according to the CEO of IBM. Association partner Sentry has a resource to help.
Read moreTitan Expects Hot Market to Continue
CEO Paul Reitz said he expects upward trends in the agricultural sector to continue, “ and in some cases even improve throughout 2021 into 2022.”
Read moreValmont to Acquire Prospera
The announcement said the transaction will create the largest global, vertically-integrated AI company in agriculture.
Read moreFormer Deere Exec Joins Sukup
John Teeple’s professional experience includes more than 23 years at John Deere in leadership positions.
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Linamar Boasts Strong Q1, Credits MacDon
CEO Linda Hasenfratz forecasts double-digit growth for MacDon this year and continued growth in 2022.
Read moreBlount Rebrands as Oregon Tool
The company unveiled a new corporate name that it says positions it for growth and honors its heritage.
Read moreNet Sales in Ag Rise 17.5 Percent at Alamo
In spite of what CEO Ron Robinson characterized as “interesting times” resulting from pandemic business disruptions, he said the company is “rebounding nicely.”
Read moreBuhler Reports Quarterly, Six-Month Earnings
The company continues to project sales growth this year. Sales backlog remains high as Buhler works through supply chain challenges.
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What Separates Companies from the Pack? Readiness.
Revisit an article published for members in summer 2020 on how the state of readiness is the cornerstone of success in industry. The author is leading a five-part series for the Association on achieving operational excellence.
Read moreSingle Store Dealer Reacts to Deere Termination
In a letter to his community, the owner of Tri-County Equipment explained Deere’s departure from his lot and looked to the future.
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Lawmakers Seek to Protect Family Businesses from Tax
“I think we were pleasantly surprised to see the language exempting farms and family-owned businesses, and that’s a good thing,” KCoe’s Brian Kuehl said.
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More States Cut Unemployment Benefits
At least 19 states have decided to prematurely cut off the federal boost to regular state unemployment benefits in response to lackluster hiring numbers in spite of a need for workers.
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U.S. Forecasts Highest Prices for Crops in Years
The USDA estimates the corn crop will sell for a season-average $5.70 a bushel, soybeans for $13.85, and wheat for $6.50. Those would be the highest farm gate prices since 2013 for corn and soybeans and the highest since 2014 for wheat.
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What’s Behind the Labor Crunch?
Is it enhanced unemployment benefits, border issues, wages? One agricultural economist asks if it is even correct to call it a labor “shortage.”
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CNH Rides Industry Wave of Strong Ag Sales
For the March-ending quarter, net sales in agricultural equipment climbed 35.4 percent.
Read moreWebinar: Workplace Law in the COVID Landscape
Discuss paid sick leave, vaccine policies and guidance, masking and safety guidance, returning to the office, and more.
Read moreWelcome, and Happy Anniversary
These members have recently joined the Association or are celebrating milestone membership anniversaries.
Read moreChina Faces Tougher Rules in Europe
The regulation would help address rising European concerns that Chinese businesses, bolstered by state support, are competing unfairly around the world.
Read moreVirus, Weather Lead to Resin Shortage
Farmers could see higher prices and possible shortages of plastic agricultural products.
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Tractor/Combine Sales
Data from April confirms the earnings reports from manufacturers and dealers: Farm equipment sales are strong.
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Answers to Legal Questions in the Evolving COVID Workplace
The EEOC has adopted the de minimis test to guide decision-making on legal incentives to encourage employees to get vaccinated. Employers may consider paid time off, entry to a raffle for a bigger-ticket item, or a smaller direct financial incentive.
Read moreAlamo, New Holland Form Partnership
The companies said that the ability to finance together through CNH Industrial Capital simplifies New Holland customers’ purchase process.
Read moreValmont: Double-Digit Sales Increases, Record Backlog
In its second quarter outlook, Valmont expects net sales to increase by 17 to 20 percent compared to last year.
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Farmers Go Higher-Tech Amid Labor Costs
The market for advanced farming tools was estimated to be about $7 billion in 2020, and it’s projected to reach $12.8 billion over the next four years.
Read moreValmont Equipment Buys PivoTrac
Valley Irrigation, which is part of member company Valmont Industries, has acquired PivoTrac, an ag tech company based in the Texas panhandle.
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Recommend a Member Executive for Director’s Seat
The Association is accepting recommendations for executives from regular member companies to stand for election in Oklahoma City in November.
Read moreAGCO Reports Strong First Quarter
Increased sales of tractors, parts, grain and protein equipment, and precision planting products generated most of the increase.
Read moreAll States Ag Parts Buys Hoye Tractor Parts
All States Ag Parts operates 21 locations in North America, Hoye Tractor will be the 22nd.
Read moreSave the Dates: Expect to Reconnect at Conventions
We fully intend to be together in Oklahoma City in November and for every convention thereafter. Please join us.
Read moreTractor Supply Reports Big First Quarter
The company’s e-commerce sales experienced triple-digit percentage growth for the fourth consecutive quarter.
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Farm Financial Performance Index Hits Record High
Farmers expect a strong bottom line this year in spite of rising input costs. The data shows a greater willingness to buy equipment and attend in-person events.
Read moreExecutive Linked to Association Brings Rural Internet Idea to Congress
A group seeking to build a regional rural ecosystem to attract globally competitive businesses is focused on the acceleration of digital technology, and its leader brought an idea to Congress.
Read moreIn Memoriam: Mary Kay Bruce
Mary Kay was the wife of Doug Bruce and mother to Heather Bruce, who represent the fourth and fifth generations of leadership at Osmundson Manufacturing.
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Summit Speaker Hosts Webinar on Farmer Buying
The webinar will cover results of a survey of farmers and their use of websites, catalogs, YouTube and other tools in researching and buying parts and equipment.
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Stimulus Checks Drive Soaring Personal Income
A third round of pandemic-relief checks powered the greatest gain in monthly personal income since record-keeping began.
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Tips for Entering Trade Markets
Only 5 percent of the world’s consumers live in the United States. Selling to exclusively domestic markets could significantly limit business potential.
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Low-Tax States Fare Well as Population Shifts
“People have been voting with their feet for 60 years, and the verdict is clear: People prefer economic policies that generate growth and jobs without increasing taxes,” wrote a newspaper columnist.
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OSHA Reverses Course on COVID Emergency Standards
OSHA has changed its mind and says it now will issue Emergency Temporary Standards that employers will be expected to follow related to COVID-19 in the workplace. Final rules are expected in June.
Read moreIn Memoriam: Terry James Butzirus
Butzirus sold advertising and ran farm shows for Nebraska Farmer magazine. He also founded and coached two baseball teams.
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African Swine Fever Hits Germany, Disrupts Exports
The outbreak appears unlikely to end soon, with infections still abundant in neighboring Poland.
Read moreAssociation Plans to Revitalize Committees
Committees are “one of the legs of a three-legged stool,” says Matt Rice. “We have the elected leadership to guide us, the staff to execute the plans, and the committees to serve in that liaison role between industry and Association and help us shape programming.”
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Democrats Tie Infrastructure to Union Path
Supporters say it would ensure jobs created by the infrastructure proposal are higher-paying. Opponents say the legislation would impose sweeping changes to labor laws that have little to do with the president’s spending plan and amount to a giveaway to unions.
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Rubber: The New Toilet Paper in an Era of Shortages
“I’ve got everybody alerted that I’ll take materials as fast as they can get it to me,” said Gary Busch, director of global procurement at Carlstar Group, which makes tires for agriculture and off-road vehicles.
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Farmers’ First Step in Equipment Shopping: Online
In survey results exploring farmers’ buying behaviors, researchers found that social media ranks low among strategies for shopping. Print catalogs fare as well as YouTube.
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Most States to Offer Businesses COVID Protection
Fifteen states have adopted laws that provide businesses civil liability protection from COVID-19 claims. Another 23 states have similar pending legislation. Several states are considering vaccine-related laws.
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Association Webinar: Navigating COVID-19 Laws
David James will present a 30-minute virtual session April 28 on the legal questions emerging in the workplace around COVID-19. Contact Matt Rice to register.
Read moreTractor/Combine Sales
Percentage increases in tractor sales in the U.S. and Canada are in the high double-digits, even climbing into triple digits in one category.
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Farm Equipment Sales Index Matches 2013 High
In other news, bankers reported that approximately 9.1 percent of farmland sales over the past the six months have gone to nonfarmer investors.
Read moreHaven Steel Buys CSI
Member company Haven Steel Products, Inc., is the new owner of Cutting Specialists, Inc., also an Association member.
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