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.

Thanks to the following member companies who participated in AG CONNECT Expo & Summit, held January 29-31 in Kansas City, MO.

Chairman Frank Lucas announced the complete list of Republican members who will serve on the House Agriculture Committee in the 113th Congress. Ranking Member Collin C. Peterson announced 19 of the 21 Democrats appointed to the Committee for the 113th Congress. There are two vacancies on the Democrat side that will be filled in the coming weeks.

A six million dollar grant has been awarded to Purdue University to develop a robotic pruning system that will be capable of pruning grapevines to the same level of quality as hand labor.

Brandt recently announced its return to Turner Scott Motorsports as the primary sponsor of the No. 31 BRANDT Chevrolet driven by NASCAR championship contender Justin Allgaier. Brandt is committed to being the primary sponsor for 26 of the 33 scheduled NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) races in 2013, according to the company.

Microsoft Chairman, Bill Gates has increased his overall stake in Deere & Co. to about 7%, marking an acquisition of three million additional shares of the farm equipment manufacturer.

The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, that was approved by both the Senate and House included extension of three key ethanol related tax credits, according to Bob Dinneen, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association.

Ag Growth International Inc. (AGI) has entered into an agreement to acquire a manufacturing facility in Swift Current from Urban Forest Recyclers Inc. as the future site for Batco Manufacturing.

The new facility is located on 8.5 acres with approximately 114,000 square feet of manufacturing space. The additional space will allow AGI to install a new

The last Drought Monitor report of 2012 had little good news, reporting that 62% of the lower 48 states is still in moderate or worse drought. No relief is expected for most areas any time soon, and it is forecast to linger well into 2013.

Orthman Manufacturing has announced the names of four appointments to its board of directors. Orthman company president, John McCoy, announced the decision at the company’s annual leadership conference.

“The time is right for this structural change,” McCoy said. “Our company growth, both domestically and internationally, requires a

Updates on Rocky Mountain Dealerships Inc., Arizona Machinery, Co., Papé Machinery has acquired the assets of Arrow Machinery

We are now into the second week of the what some are referring to as the McConnell-Biden Farm Bill and it has taken about that long for most to figure out exactly what was buried in legislation designed to delay coming to grips with out of control spending and the great desire to raise taxes.

Those in the ag industry who were holding out hope for major shifts in U.S. farm policy via a five year farm bill, will have to regroup and hope for better results in the new Congressional session.

As a member of this Association, the best way to get the most out of your annual dues is to get involved. We offer many opportunities to become more active, including numerous committees. Whatever your interests or knowledge, there is a committee that will benefit from your input. Find out which committee described below, would best fit your skills.

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.

As scheduled, the unlimited insurance coverage for noninterest-bearing transaction accounts provided under the Dodd-Frank Act expired on December 31, 2012. Deposits held in noninterest-bearing transaction account are now aggregated with any interest-bearing deposits the owner may hold in the same ownership category, and the combined total are insured up to at least $250,000.

Reminder: The 2012-2013 Membership Directory & Product Index, was recently published. Members can receive additional copies of this publication by request at Info@FarmEquip.org.

Production on the 2013-2014 edition will begin soon. Please look for your company proof sheet to make updates & corrections to your list, which will be sent to all members in February

Over a decade after suing the producer of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus over the treatment of elephants, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has agreed to pay $9.3 million to exit the case.

Valmont Industries, Inc. announced that Richard P. Heyse has joined Valmont as Executive Vice President. In late February, Heyse will succeed Terry J. McClain, Valmont’s CFO, who will be retiring after almost 40 years of service.

The Iowa Power Farming Show is officially running at full capacity. With 750 farm equipment and services companies descending on Des Moines from 29 states and four Canadian provinces, show organizers are utilizing all 7.0 acres of real estate available to them for this year’s show.

The price of anhydrous ammonia fertilizer has been climbing steadily since last fall, according to Brownfield reports. USDA Ag Market News in Illinois put the average price at $887 in early January.

Purdue University farm business management specialist Alan Miller says it’s simply a matter of supply and demand, with corn acres expected to increase worldwide.

Deere & Co. announced it has received a letter from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission confirming that the agency’s Enforcement Division will not pursue action against the company for alleged violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Behlen Mfg. Co., headquarterd in Columbus, NE, recently announced the long-term lease of the former Smead Manufacturing plant in McGregor, TX, part of the greater Waco region.

This 180,000 square foot building will be used by Behlen to manufacture farm and ranch equipment for its Behlen Country® business unit. Employment is expected to exceed 50 jobs by the end of 2013. The plant will serve Texas and the surrounding area which represents a significant and growing percentage of our business, the company said.

The flu season could cost employers billions of dollars, says outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. The firm cites CDC estimates that the flu, on average, costs employers $10.4 billion in direct costs of hospitalization and outpatient visits. That doesn’t count business costs such as sick pay, work delays and reduced efficiency.

Buhler Industries, Winnipeg, Canada, reported record sales levels for the second consecutive year. Revenues for 2012 were $361.2 million, up 27.8% from the prior year. This increase was due to the strong demand for tractors in North America and overseas, as well as increased demand for sprayers and seeding and tillage lines introduced in recent years, the company said.

Lindsay Corporation has announced first quarter revenues of $147.4 million increased 24 percent from $119.2 million in the same prior year period.

Net earnings were $14.7 million compared with $2.9 million in the prior year. Fiscal 2012 operating costs included $7.2 million of accrued expenses, relating to an estimated increase in the Company’s liability for environmental re-mediation at its Lindsay, Nebraska facility.

According to Steve Taff, economist with University of Minnesota Extension, farmland prices have been rising steadily since 1990, and have peaked at a state average of over $3,500 per acre in 2010. Since 1992, Taff has conducted an annual farmland appraisal in coordination with the 100-year study organized by the University of Minnesota.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) has released the January issue of its Short-Term Energy Outlook, which is the first to include forecasts for 2014. The EIA’s analysis predicts that ethanol production will rebound, beginning in the second half of 2013.

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U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced legislation last week to crack down on what some say is a growing problem: metal theft. According to National Insurance Crime Bureau, metal theft has increased more than 80% in recent years. Thieves steal high-priced metal from critical infrastructure, businesses, homes, churches and even veterans’ graves. The Metal Theft Prevention