Midwest Producer reports that the 25x’25 Alliance is restructuring its leadership team to further strengthen plans to devote more effort into defining and articulating the multiple benefits of a 25x’25 future, the cochairmen of the new executive leadership committee said.

One of the topics we will be address during our Spring Conference in San Antonio will be managing some of the risks that can have a major effect on your company’s bottom line. Tom Franzen, our Risk Management Consultant will be leading a panel dealing with the wide variety of issues which surround . . .

A record 10,988,269 people received federal disability benefits in December 2013 and according to report from Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) more than 25 percent of benefits are awarded with “insufficient, contradictory, and incomplete evidence.”

Highlights from AEM’s (Association of Equipment Manufacturers) monthly Ag Flash Reports for unit retail sales are listed below.

This Article UPDATED after Newsletter Printed.

House-Senate Negotiators Announce Bipartisan Agreement on Final Farm Bill Bill Reforms Agriculture Policy, Reduces Deficit; Grows Agriculture Economy

Earlier this month, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) finally backed down from a fight over a contentious regulation that would have required most private businesses to display 11 inch by 17 inch union posters in employee work area

Gov. Jerry Brown has formally proclaimed a drought in California, a move that codified what farmers and ranchers in the state had known for weeks. The U.S. Drought Monitor has said there are “extreme drought” conditions in central and northern California, where much of the state’s ranching is located.

Van Wall Equipment, a regional Deere dealer group headquartered in Perry, IA, has announced the acquisition of four additional Deere dealer locations.

Noteboom Implement in South Dakota has announced the purchase of Northwest Equipment in Iowa with locations in . . .

In a lengthy article, Roll Call reports that growers are becoming increasingly on edge regarding the precise data that can now be collected about every aspect of how they farm. That includes what types of seeds they plant and where; how much and what kinds of chemicals they’re applying to their crops and where; and the exact crop yields at any single point in their fields.

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.

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Citing severe economic and environmental ramifications, the National Corn Growers Association called on all its members and friends to submit comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, opposing its proposal to slash the amount of corn ethanol required in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

Brandt, announced that it has a definitive letter of intent to acquire Grigg Brothers, a leader in the golf and sports turf industry since 1995.

An Alabama state legislator wants to remove farm equipment deals from the state’s sales tax. State Rep. Paul Lee of Dothan says he will sponsor a bill to exempt agricultural equipment from the state’s sales tax, which is 1.5% for such transactions.

Wisconsin’s milk price for December is expected to be $21.90, up a dime from November, California is projected to average $20.50 up 49 cents from the previous month and the largest increase of any state.

The Raging Grannies and friends target most of their criticism on the twin tunnels proposed to move water under the Delta. Critics claim water rates would go up $7 to $10 per month, probably half what the Raging Grannies spend each month at Starbucks.

The “quality standards” lecture comes from a nation with a rich history of making headlines for reportedly exporting children’s toys layered with lead paint, pet treats laced with melamine, toxic baby formula, tainted pork products, rice contaminated with heavy metals and the reuse of discarded cooking grease nauseatingly known as “gutter oil”

Buhler Industries, Winnipeg, Manitoba, has reported net profit of $19.9 million on $343.9 million in revenue for the year ending Sept. 30, up from $16.4 million on record revenues of $361.2 million in fiscal 2012. The record profit, Buhler said, can be credited to . . .

Corn and soybean crops were big in 2013, but not quite as big as previously estimated, according to results of the latest Farm Futures survey.

White House, labor unions and liberal advocacy groups are planning an effort to raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour in a three step process over a two-year period, and then index it to inflation. In addition to the federal push, labor unions and the like are looking at a campaign to . . .

A quick update on transactions involving equipment dealers over the last few weeks. Merz Farm Equipment – Bancroft Implement – Barker Implement along with A&M Green Power – Kleine Equipment’s assets to Martin Sullivan Inc. and Tractor Supply Company

With the current tax season upon us, we are required by the IRS to remind members that as a result of ongoing lobbying activities (by this Association) on behalf of our members, a small portion of dues payments are not deductible by members as an ordinary and necessary business expense.

Farmers could be required to report “chemicals of interest” they possess and use under measures the Obama administration is considering to avoid disasters such as a Texas blast that killed 14 people last year.