AGCO reported net sales of approximately $2.9 billion during the fourth quarter of 2013, an increase of approximately 5.8% compared to net sales of $2.7 billion for the fourth quarter of 2012. Total net sales for 2013 (full year) were . . .

The overall index for the Rural Mainstreet Economy indicates that areas of the nation highly dependent on agriculture and energy are losing economic steam. Despite year-over-year declines in agriculture commodity prices, bankers expect . . .

Following the start of the sales co-operation in Romania, Bulgaria and Serbia, Case IH and Titan Machinery announced that a new dealership has opened in Vinnitsa, Ukraine. Titan Machinery has exported products to the Ukrainian market for several years and has. . .

ASABE revised its previous adoption of an international standard, ISO 5687:1999, Equipment for harvesting — Combine harvesters — determination and designation of grain tank capacity and unloading device performance. Conformance to ASABE standards is voluntary, except where required by state, provincial or other governmental requirements . . .

Was it the failure to get “uniform and national standards” for cage production into the farm bill that ended the unholy alliance between producers and HSUS?

“It’s a template to bring those kinds of laws from anyplace about anything,” he said. “So it could be about sow crates next. It could be about GMOs, it could be about what herbicide is used on a farm. There’s a lot at stake here—and even a lot at stake for folks outside of California and Iowa. . .”

The setback is a major defeat for the UAW’s effort to expand in the South, where foreign automakers have 14 assembly plants, eight built in the past decade, said Kristin Dziczek, director of the labor and industry group at the Center for Automotive Research, an industry think tank in Michigan.

“If the union can’t win [in Chattanooga], it can’t win anywhere,” Steve Silvia, a economics and trade professor at American University who has studied labor unions, told the Wall Street Journal.

The speaking program for Association’s 2014 Spring Conference & Supplier Showcase in San Antonio, April 6-9, will feature a special breakout session addressing employment and human resources issues. At 10:30 am on Tuesday, April 8, attorney David A. James, co-author of Ag Innovator’s “Legal Focus”

The USDA released preliminary results from its 2012 Census of Agriculture. Key findings include an increase in the value of agricultural products sold in the U.S., which totaled $394.6 billion in 2012, up 33% ($97.4 billion) from 2007. The number of farms and amount of farmland were down slightly, but held steady. In addition, agriculture is becoming more diverse.

General Session at 9:00 am on Wednesday will focus on innovation, and speaker Bill Wade will explain why it is the only net creator of new wealth. Mr. Wade brings over 40 years of experience working closely with distributors—in agricultural, automotive and heavy duty truck aftermarkets and with specialty industrial distributors.

In response to member companies’ requests, this year’s Spring Conference will add a special track designed for your company’s key purchasing staff.

Leading this new track, we are pleased to have Robert Menard, a purchasing professional who understands that members care about reducing costs and reaping an ROI that exceeds what they pay. His session on purchasing and negotiation will teach members how their companies can realize these results.

Once again our Tillage Product Council has landed a superb speaker for our Spring Conference. Ron Heck will serve as our special guest speaker at the Tillage Council meeting on Tuesday afternoon, which will be moved to a larger ballroom to allow ample space for all of our registered attendees.

FarmEquip.org offers—free of charge—a forum where Association members can advertise vacant positions at their companies, or candidates can connect with prospective employers in the shortline industry.

Alamo Group, Inc. announced it will acquire the operating units of Specialized Industries LP, including the businesses of Super Products LLC, Wausau-Everest LP and Howard P. Fairfield LLC. Together, the three operations generated 2013 net sales of . . .

Dealers at the meeting told AEI that, while Jim Walker, vice president of North American operations for Case IH, did not want to call it “purity,” the topic of Case IH getting its share of . . .

During the Dealer Relations Committee Meeting at our Spring Conference, Vince Tomlonovic, Committee Chair, and Association Exec. Vice President Vernon Schmidt will discuss legislation effecting contractual relationships between shortline manufacturers and their dealers.

In an attempt to manage risks and enforce its safety policies, AT&T appears to have walked head-on into what is sure to be a costly battle with government-funded lawyers.

U.S. Department of Labor attorneys filed a lawsuit against the company for suspending 13 workers without pay, allegedly for . . .

Buhler Industries reported revenues for the quarter ending Dec. 31, 2013, at $68.9 million, surpassed only by its record first quarter in 2011 and the $75.9 million it reported for 2012. The company says demand continues to be strong for its tractors, seeding and tillage equipment.

Orthman Manufacturing announced the appointment of Randy Haarberg as its Precision Tillage Systems Agronomist. Haarberg will focus on agronomic education and will assist. . .

“The government has decided that, rather than follow a law on the books since 1994 that secures adequate water to the Central Valley, protecting a fish is more important.”

House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA)

Ag Growth International, Inc. (AGI) announced in early February it has entered into an agreement to acquire the GrainVac product line from REM Enterprises, Inc.

The sale is one of series of changes REM recently made to . . .

Remlinger Manufacturing announced a contract to build custom and specific weldments for Case New Holland’s agriculture divisions. Remlinger hopes to increase its. . .

A potential rule that significantly expands Clean Water Act jurisdiction could require farmers to obtain permits necessary to continue to operate . . .

Deere’s worldwide sales of agriculture and turf equipment are forecast to decrease by about 6% for fiscal 2014. Although farm incomes are expected to remain at healthy levels in 2014, they are forecast to be lower than in 2013. In Deere’s view, the decline will . . .

An Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidance memo on grain bins and grain storage should be withdrawn because it provides authority for enforcement activities on small farms that are exempt under law, the American Farm Bureau Federation told Congress earlier this month.

The Treasury Department will let employers with 50 to 99 employees off the hook in 2015. If you fit into this group, you will be required to report how many workers are covered but will have until 2016 before you must offer coverage to . . .

U.S. Nameplate Company announced the appointment of Andrew Novetzke as President of U.S. Nameplate Company of Mt. Vernon, Iowa.

Included with this issue of Shortliner, all prime contacts will find a 2014 date plate to update your Association membership plaque. Those of you who receive this publication by email will receive your date plates by U.S. mail.

In its first 2014 forecast, the USDA said that lower crop prices will cut annual farm profits 27%, reported Businessweek. Agricultural net income will be $95.8 billion, versus $130.5 billion last year. Income from major crops, such as corn, soybeans and wheat, will be . . .

Last week the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) reissued controversial and sweeping changes to rules governing union elections, upending years of precedent and threatening the time-tested balance in . . .

American agriculture will change drama tically over the next 20 years, with an estimated 70% of farmland likely to change hands. The clock is ticking for farmers and ranchers, and it also demands our members’ attention. During our Spring Conference in San Antonio this April, a breakout session will address the importance of succession planning for family businesses.

Agricultural equipment full-year net revenues were up 3.6% over 2012 (up 9% on a constant currency basis) driven by positive net pricing, increased volumes and favorable product mix. All geographic regions except . . .

With the close of January and the winter issue of Ag Innovator, Hannah Hamontree ends her time with us, accepting a position with a company in Colorado. We wish her the very best and thank her for her many years of service.

We are pleased to announce that Marlene Weeks has joined our staff as Production Editor of all of the Association’s publications. Marlene has an extensive and impressive background in publishing, serving as senior editor for a national monthly trade magazine and . . .

This month we thank the following companies for their membership in the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association and their continued support. We look forward to having these companies, and yours, as members for many more years.

Raven Industries, Inc. announced it will collaborate with Kinze Manufacturing, Inc. to bring a new multi-hybrid planter control system to Kinze’s . . . multi-hybrid concept planters being tested with select North American producers in the spring of 2014.

Sigourney Tractor & Implement – Precision Equipment – Hartzler Equipment Company to Heartland Tractor – Greenmark Equipment . . .

We are offering a special Purchasing Track, designed with your company’s purchasing agent in mind. Leading our program is Robert Menard, a purchasing professional who understands that you care about cost reduction and ROI. That requires experience, credentials and specialized expertise. With more than three decades in business, and having trained thousands of professionals, and hundreds of consulting engagements, Robert is uniquely suited to help your purchasing agent bring true cost savings to your company.

Monday morning’s two-hour session will focus on “Lean Principles and Sustainability,” and on Tuesday a one-hour session will address

The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) announced the winners of its AE50 Awards, including several members of the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association.

In signing the Farm Bill at Michigan State University, President Obama said the wide-ranging bill “multitasks” by helping boost jobs, innovation, research and conservation. Obama joked that, “It’s like a Swiss Army knife.” Regardless of the number of blades or provisions, the five-year Farm Bill signed into law last week produced both winners and losers.

H.58, which was filed last year, would make several changes to the statute governing the relationship between equipment dealers and their supplier. In addition to the bill which was filed, the Northeast Equipment Dealers Association has several additional amendments they are offering for consideration.

Senator Larry Powell (R-Garden City), who serves as Chairman of the Senate Natural Resources Committee, stated he is not taking up the issue of corporate farming this year. This means the campaign to repeal Kansas’ law limiting corporate farming operations appears to have been sidelined for this session.

Some significant changes have been made to earlier drafts but there remain a number of widespread concerns with the bill as it was introduced last week. Below are the concerns and recommendations our Association and AEM have identified.

Weight — We believe weight limits on farm equipment should consider the overall weight limit the state wishes to allow, and eliminate the axle weight restriction and the use of the complex Federal Bridge Formula Chart that is specifically designed for typical . . .

MTZ Equipment Ltd, the exclusive U.S. and Canadian distributor of Belarus-made tractors, based in Thornill, Ontario, has announced the appointments of six new territory-managers covering 17 states.

An Ad Hoc committee meeting that was held in conjunction with the Towed Implement Product Council at our Association’s Fall Convention in Indianapolis was so well attended and informative that Chairman Jim Hellbusch was asked to have a continuation of that meeting at the Louisville Farm Show.

The New York-based financial research and rating firm’s published report revised the managed health care industry’s 2014 outlook to negative, due primarily to the proportion of high-risk individuals who have enrolled in health . . .

Last week the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal seeking to prevent Monsanto from suing farmers who inadvertently grew crops contaminated by its genetically engineered seed.

According to a White House press release, John Deere will join a consortium of 18 companies and 6 universities partnering with the federal government to strengthen the U.S. manufacturing sector and boost advanced manufacturing.

Ohio State University agricultural economist Matt Roberts told a packed meeting room during the 2014 American Farm Bureau Federation convention that ag incomes and lifestyles will change dramatically in the next three to five years. . .

UPDATED AFTER PRINTING

“USCA remains steadfast in its support of the U.S. country of origin labeling (COOL) as implemented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on November 23, 2013. Any action by Congress to alter or repeal COOL in the farm bill currently being negotiated will affect USCA’s support for the overall bill.

The Nebraska Legislature advanced a bill last week on a 44-0 vote to exempt repair or replacement parts for agricultural machinery and equipment from sales tax.

Canada has swept past the U.S., Germany and Japan in a Bloomberg ranking of the best countries for doing business. Canada rose four places to reach second place, behind only Hong Kong, which led for a third straight year.