Art’s Way Manufacturing Co., Inc., Armstrong, IA, and Rojac Industries, Inc. announced they have signed a letter of intent. The letter of intent calls for Rojac Industries, Inc. to sell to Art’s Way Manufacturing Co., Inc. the operating assets of its Agro Trend Manufacturing division, an agricultural machinery distributor and manufacturer of snow blowers, trailers, and running gears located in Clifford, Ontario, Canada.

Mahindra USA recently reported that retail sales of tractors in fiscal year 2013, grew 30% year-over-year. That represents the company’s highest retail sales to date.

Tractors from Mahindra, which is based in India and entered the U.S. market in 1994, range from 22 hp to 100 hp and are targeted at farms of varying sizes.

A revised Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, the form that must be completed by all employers to verify the employment eligibility of every new hire, was recently released in the Federal Register and is effective immediately. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has also adopted a revised layout for the form.

Gov. Nikki Haley said that South Carolina does not want and cannot afford the president’s plan, “not now, not ever.”

“To that end, we will not pursue the type of government-run health exchanges being forced on us by Washington,” she said. “Despite the rose-colored rhetoric coming out of D.C., these exchanges are nothing more than a way to make the state do the federal government’s bidding in spending massive amounts of taxpayer dollars on insurance subsidies that we can’t afford.”

Unusually-cold spring weather is causing new concerns for Iowa’s delayed planting season; the 2012 drought depleted the nation’s reserves making this year’s crop a crucial one for global market exports, biofuel production and livestock farmers, according to the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF).

The April price index for U.S. farm production inputs, at 234, increased 2.6% from a year ago. USDA reports that indexes for feed, seed, farm machinery and agricultural chemicals increased across all subcategories, with feed concentrates and supplements showing the largest price increase. Indexes for fertilizers and fuel decreased across all subcategories, with gasoline prices showing the largest drop.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) will convene a meeting of its technical committee on tractors and machinery for agriculture and forestry, TC23, and several TC23 subcommittees, for five days of technical discussions related to tractors, safety, sustainability, and equipment compatibility. The meeting is being hosted at the CNH America LLC facility and will take place June 10-14, 2013.

Kinze Manufacturing Inc., Williamsburg, IA, is opening its first production plant abroad in Lithuania. The facility will manufacture Kinze row crop planters, contributing to its growing market in neighboring countries including Russia, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Hungary. Kinze will hire welders, mechanics, CNC operators and other specialists to work in the new plant.

AGCO reported net sales of approximately $2.4 billion for the first quarter of 2013, an increase of around 5.7% compared to net sales of $2.3 billion for the first quarter of 2012. Excluding unfavorable currency translation impacts of approximately 2.7%, net sales in the first quarter of 2013 increased approximately 8.4%, compared to the first quarter of 2012.

North American sales grew 10.3% in the first quarter of 2013 compared to 2012, excluding the impact of unfavorable currency translation. Elevated levels of farm income in 2012 continued to support industry demand in the first quarter of 2013 from the professional farming sector and produced strong growth for AGCO. The most significant increases were in high horsepower tractors, implements and combines. Higher sales and margin improvement initiatives contributed to growth in income from operations of

Blount International, Inc., Portland, OR, announced results for their first quarter ended March 31, 2013. Sales in the first quarter were $232.6 million, a 3% increase from the first quarter of 2012. Operating income for the first quarter of 2013 was $19.1 million compared to $13.6 million in the prior year, which included $4.9 million of facility closure and restructuring charge

April 09. 2013 8:55PM Auto dealers say they can make better decisions about their franchises than out-of-state manufacturers who often hold them hostage.

Foster’s Daily Democrat is entitled to its own opinion, but not to its own facts. Recent editorials regarding a bill — SB 126 — being pushed in the State House by car dealer lobbyists fail to share some key truths.

April 13, 2013 2:00 AM “Many consumers think we are one and the same, but we are not. It’s an adversarial relationship and the manufacturers can get heavy handed,” said Holloway, owner of the Holloway Buick GMC and Cadillac dealerships in Portsmouth.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013 – The fight has moved to the House over legislation that New Hampshire’s auto dealers say would help protect their businesses and big automakers say would interfere with the free market.

An example of government foolishness is playing out in Concord right now concerning Senate Bill 126. You may have heard of this bill. It’s the one where some legislators want to start regulating equipment like lawn tractors, backhoes and bulldozers the same as an automobile

Legislation to level the playing field between New Hampshire car dealers and car makers deserves to pass. It won’t really “level” the field, but it may help keep down your car purchase price.

A nanny state legislative initiative now moving through state chambers, however, undermines such notions and negatively impacts the Granite State’s economy and consumer confidence. While it might not be a household name now, if Senate Bill 126 passes it could soon affect you.

The skeptical reader will wonder why dealers don’t just drop one manufacturer and sell for another that is less abusive. This is simply not possible. The manufacturers define sales territories and a dealer can’t simply begin selling another brand without impinging upon another dealer already selling that brand. Automobile dealers rely on a “sole-source supplier.”

This is just protectionist nonsense. Tilting government to favor local, popular businesses against less popular out-of-state companies may be quite tempting for politicians and advertising-supported media, but it makes no economic sense.

We would like to recognize the following companies for their continued support of the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association and thank them for their membership over the years. We appreciate the continued support of these companies and all of our members.

Reports from Washington, D.C. say Committee Chair Frank Lucas plans to start marking up a new five-year farm bill on May 15. He met with Majority Leader Eric Cantor recently and discussed timing for the measure. Cantor asked Lucas to consider taking more time, but the chairman plans to proceed as originally planned.

Orthman Manufacturing, Lexington, NE, recently named Bryan Pekarek as regional sales and dealer development manager for 10 states in the southern region.

Pekarek will be responsible for Orthman’s agricultural sales, dealer development and communications throughout Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida and North and South Carolina.

Work on international standards for solid biofuels continues to expand, with new projects for thermally treated solid biofuels and safe handling of pelletized biofuels the latest to be introduced within the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

n 2010, the latest year for which complete data are available, U.S. Internal Revenue Service data showed that nearly three out of four farm sole proprietors reported a farm loss, for almost $24 billion in losses. The remaining farms reported profits totaling $12.3 billion.

New Hampshire: The attempt to declare almost every piece of farm equipment our members manufacture as a “motor vehicle” continues in the state of New Hampshire following the state Senate vote 21-Yes, 2-No to pass this major change to contract law. The bill (SB126) has been assigned to a House subcommittee with a work session scheduled for April 25.

Art’s Way Manufacturing Co., Inc., Armstrong, IA, announced its financial results for the three months ended February 28, 2013.

The company’s consolidated net sales for the three-month period ended February 28, 2013 were $8,415,000 compared to $6,312,000 during the same respective period in 2012, a $2,103,000, or 33.3%, increase for the quarter. C

When it’s too cold and wet to hold the Association’s annual Trap Shoot event, Omaha Spring Clinic attendees still found ways to enjoy themselves indoors. Enjoy the video!

Rem Enterprises Inc., Swift Current, SK, Canada, announced that Richelle Titemore has been appointed as the General Manager. A veteran executive in the company, Titemore previously served as the company’s Controller and Materials Manager.

Association President, Andrew Cummings, T. G. Schmeiser Co., Inc., has appointed former president John McCoy, Orthman Manufacturing, to serve as chair of this year’s Nominating Committee for Directors.

Highlights from AEM’s (Association of Equipment Manufacturers) monthly Ag Flash Reports for unit retail sales are listed below. For complete data, go to aem.org.

Global cotton production for 2012-2013, is estimated at 119.7 million bales, down 4% from a year earlier, as this month’s USDA reduction for Brazil’s crop is partially offset by an increase for the U.S. Declining production is largely driven by a market environment that favored the cultivation of competing alternatives.

RDO Equipment Co. has opened a new Vermeer location in Eugene, Oregon.

Wells Implement, Inc., a third-generation, family-owned ag equipment dealership based in Plymouth, NE is now a Topcon Precision Agriculture (TPA) dealer.

Titan Machinery Inc. reported financial results for the fiscal fourth quarter and full year ended January 31, 2013.

For the three months ended December 31, 2012, the company’s agricultural business reported revenues of $10.2 million, an increase of 12% from $9.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. Fourth quarter gross margin contribution was 40% or $4.0 million, a decrease compared to 48% and $4.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2011.

The North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA) has compiled and published its comprehensive report on Dealer-Manufacturer Relations. Using a noted third-party survey and data collection and reporting apparatus, NAEDA asked dealer-members throughout North America to rate their manufacturers on twelve key operating categories.

Since late March, a company director named Mallika Srinivasan has purchased millions of shares of the company’s stock and recently reported a total stake of more than 5%.

Indeed, she has purchased approximately $75 million in shares since April 1 alone. T

Valmont Industries, Inc., Valley, NE reported first quarter sales of $819.6 million compared with $717.4 million for the same period of 2012. First quarter 2013 operating income was $118.2 million versus $82.8 million in 2012. First quarter net income was $77.6 million versus $52.3 million in 2012, which resulted in an increase in quarterly diluted earnings per share from $1.96 in 2012 to $2.89 in 2013.

During the recent Omaha Spring Clinic, the Supplier Associate Section elected their 2013-2014 Board of Governors as listed below.

Bush Hog Inc., Selma, AL, recently announced the nationwide release of Build My Bush Hog, a new web productivity tool for dealers. The new interface gives Bush Hog dealers access to account information as well as providing a way to configure Bush Hog products for sales quotes and easy online ordering.

Rural America continues to be a bright spot in an ever dimming economic environment as the Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) and farmland price index posted above growth neutral readings. Farmers are the driving force behind the growth as 4 out of every 5 sales transactions are purchased by farmers.

For those of you who attended this month’s Omaha Spring Clinic at the Hilton Omaha, we thank you for your support of this annual meeting. From our excellent speaker line-up, to our plant tours, we offered all those in attendance a unique opportunity not only to network with their fellow industry men and women, but the time to find new customers through the Supplier Product Showcase and other events.

According to a Gallup poll released in March, the proportion of the U.S. workforce comprising part-timers hit 20.6% in February—a slight 1.5% percentage point increase from 2010. When does a part-time staff make sense?

Over 270 attendees and presenters from over 120 member companies are registered for next week’s Spring Clinic in Omaha. The company list is below with links to our online list which is being updated daily. This will be the best attended Spring Meeting in over ten years.

Bloomberg reports that Ag Growth is continuing to expand outside the U.S. and Canada, which currently make up about 80% of the company’s business. “A lot of the progressive corporate farms in the former Soviet Union are looking to North America for proper grain storage because existing storage is antiquated,” said Chief Executive Officer Gary Anderson. “We want to provide it.”

“This amendment simply repeals some of the most illogical provisions in the President’s health care law… It does nothing more than give back the flexibility and freedom families need to make health care decisions without government mandates getting in the way. Regardless of intentions, we cannot ignore the negative consequences the implementation of the President’s health care law is having on American families. I’m pleased my amendment received overwhelming bipartisan support.” Sen. Johanns

We continue to track over 20 legislative proposals in numerous states, all varying widely in likelihood of passage. The report below covers a few of the bills we have on our watch list.

The ISOBUS Plugfest events, organized by the Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation (AEF) will take place between April 23-26, 2013 at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, NE, held in cooperation with the Nebraska Tractor Test Lab.

MacDon Industries Ltd. recently announced the appointment of Ibrahim Saleh to the position of Director of Product Integrity. Ibrahim is responsible for corporate quality, product reliability, safety and field support. Ibrahim earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics Engineering from Alexandria University, Egypt in 1977.

Morality of Free Markets: Our special guest speaker, J Peter Ricketts, the founder of Drakon, LLC, an asset management company in Omaha, will talk about the “Morality of Free Markets”.

When planning your schedule for the upcoming Omaha Spring Clinic, be sure to mark Thursday afternoon, from 2:00-5:00 p.m. to attend the Sold Out Supplier Product Showcase. This year’s Showcase, also includes the Showcase Reception from 3:30-5:00 p.m.

Featuring 60 booths, the Omaha Showcase is the place to connect with your current suppliers, or find new business opportunities. For a full interactive exhibitor list, please go to FarmEquip.org/spring_clinic/showcase. We look forward to seeing you at the Sold Out Showcase!

Art’s Way Manufacturing, Co. Inc., Armstrong, IA, recently announced its financial results for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2012. Total net sales for the company increased 31.9%, from $27.6 million in fiscal year 2011 to $36.5 million in fiscal year 2012. Ward added, “Net sales for our agricultural products segment were up nearly 9.3% due primarily to the acquisition of Universal Harvester Co., Inc.