Egg Glut Hurts Ag Economy
Too many hens laying too many eggs are pushing down prices for the consumer staple, hurting sales at producers and adding more stress to the farm economy.
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September 2019 Tractor & Combine Sales
Highlights of tractor/combine sales for September 2019 are from the AEM – Flash Reports.
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Association Partners with ASABE to Provide Resources, Advocacy for Members
Manufacturing members of this Association who do not belong to ASABE are entitled to a CD or USB card that contains 275 current ASAE/ASABE standards, engineering practices, and data. This is a $650 value, and it is only part of what the Association offers members in standards advocacy and resources.
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Federal Crop Insurance to Increase Payments
Farmers who could not plant a crop this year because of flooding will receive extra assistance from the federal crop insurance program. An economist from the U of I said the payment “is more generous than I expected.”
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U.S., Japan Reach Agreement on Trade
A limited trade deal between the U.S. and Japan will deliver similar access to Japan’s agricultural market that Tokyo was offering under the Trans-Pacific Partnership. It also will help producers keep pace with competing nations that are now benefiting from their own trade agreements with Japan.
Read moreWhite House Seeks Solution for Corn Growers, Ethanol
The White House is putting together a deal to mitigate damage done to corn growers and the ethanol industry as a result of waivers being granted to small oil refineries. Ethanol advocates are asking for the administration to remain committed to the 15-million gallons a year called for in the Renewal Fuel Standard.
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Deere Turns to U.S. After Growth Overseas Stalls
John May, Deere’s incoming chief executive, will narrow the company’s focus to enhancing technology and growing the U.S. market. This is a pivot from CEO Sam Allen’s emphasis on selling more equipment in developing markets overseas.
Read moreAfrican Swine Fever Advances in Asia
South Korea has now been hit with African swine fever. A veterinarian with the National Pork Board said the global outlook continues to worsen.
Read moreChina Buys Ag Products of ‘Considerable Scale’
Chinese buyers have “completed deals to buy soybeans and pork of considerable scale.” Negotiators are due to resume talks this month in Washington.
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Millions More Qualify for Overtime Pay
The Trump administration has boosted the number of workers eligible for overtime, extending pay requirements for about 1.3 million people.
Read moreAgrisolutions Moves to Bigger Space
Agrisolutions has opened a new 110,000-square-foot facility in Rock Island, Ill. It is quadruple the size of its previous space.
Read moreA Special Thanks to Convention Sponsors
The Association sends a special thanks to these member companies for sponsoring portions of the convention in St. Louis.
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Solberg Joins Dot Technology
Dot Technology, which is in its commercialization phase, has added Craig Solberg as its director of sales and retail development.
Read moreDealer News
EDA has elected a new board member, and two dealerships have new names.
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Get Time Management Tips in Ag Innovator
In the fall issue of Ag Innovator magazine, we hear from speaker and writer John Hall, who offers tips on how to manage our time.
Read moreOSHA Releases Top 10 Most Frequent Citations
OSHA has released the list of its 10 most frequently cited standards during the 2018 fiscal year.
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Mainstreet Index Bounces Above Growth Neutral
The Rural Mainstreet Index for September climbed above growth neutral. The farm equipment-sales index also improved.
Read moreAnnual Business Meeting, Election of Officers
The Association will hold its Annual Business Meeting and election of directors Wednesday, Nov. 6, in St. Louis.
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Measuring the Value of the St. Louis Marketing & Distribution Convention
Join the nearly 300 executives who have already registered for the November meeting in St. Louis. Nearly 60 marketers also already registered. Links to registration lists and more.
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Direct Flights to STL Convention
Southwest Airlines is offering these one-way rates on direct flights to St. Louis through Thursday.
Read moreConvention: Learn, Network, Sell
When we gather in St. Louis, the Association will offer a combination of structured, introductory time for manufacturers to meet marketers, time and space for one-on-one meetings, and a roster of standout speakers. See them here.
Read moreAlamo to Acquire Morbark
Alamo Group Inc. has agreed to acquire 100 percent of the outstanding capital shares of Morbark, LLC. CEO Ron Robinson said the acquisition will “expand and complement our range of vegetation maintenance equipment in an adjacent market.”
Read moreDeere Sues Former Employee, Husband-Wife Duo Over Trade Secrets
Deere filed suit this week in U.S. District Court against two former employees for allegedly stealing trade secrets. The suit claims the husband and wife downloaded, transferred and removed confidential information while planning their exits.
Read moreDealer News
Check out this long list of acquisitions.
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EPA, Army finalize repeal of controversial ‘Waters of the U.S.’ rules
This action officially ends an egregious power grab and sets the stage for a new rule that will provide much-needed regulatory certainty for farmers, home builders, and property owners nationwide.
Read moreCNH Industrial Acquires AgDNA
CNH Industrial has agreed to acquire AgDNA, a farm management information systems company. In other news, the company announced it plans to split into two distinct off-highway and on-highway business segments.
Read moreWho’s Growing Hemp?
Roughly half of all states had some hemp farming last year. Montana and Colorado were the biggest, each with more than 20,000 acres cultivated.
Read moreMahindra Expands in U.S.
The Mahindra Group has opened a new office in Washington, D.C. The company’s chairman characterizes the move as “an important element of our U.S. growth strategy.”
Read moreKcoe Isom Acquires Paragon
K·Coe Isom has acquired Kansas-based ag advisory and commodity brokerage firm Paragon.
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China Admits It’s Been Sanctioning U.S. Soybeans
China newswire Xinhua revealed something interesting. It said Beijing “will allow Chinese businesses to purchase a certain amount of soybeans and pork from the United States.” The word “allow” is key.
Read moreCanada’s Labor Market Exceeds Expectations
Canada’s labor market in August blew past expectations with one of the biggest employment gains in a decade. The country’s recent strength contrasts with many other global economies.
Read moreFarm Country in Upper Plains Sees Flooding
Recent heavy rains have caused flooding in the upper Plains and prompted the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reduce water releases into the Missouri River, which had been accelerated in response to earlier excessive rains.
Read moreIowa Judge Allows Environmental Activists’ Suit to Proceed
A judge in Iowa ruled last week that an environmental lawsuit brought against the state will move forward. The suit claims the state has violated the rights of citizens to clean water for recreational and drinking water uses.
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Pea Protein in Demand as Consumers Seek Meat Alternatives
Demand for pea protein is soaring amid growing demand for plant-based meat and dairy substitutes. Cargill has invested $100 million in recent months.
Read moreGovernor Issues Impassioned Response to Anti-Meat Group
Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts and state Ag Director Steve Wellman issued statements recently in response to an anti-ag group calling for a moratorium on livestock production in Nebraska.
Read moreUSDA, State Ag Groups Accelerate Research on Climate
State departments of ag have adopted new policies on climate resiliency. The USDA hopes to boost funding for the same issue after distributing more than $3 billion in disaster money to farmers.
Read moreIron Ore Prices Plunge
Iron-ore prices posted their biggest one-month fall in almost eight years. The price fell 27 percent by the end of August, the most since October 2011.
Read moreIn Memoriam: Louis McNeil
Louis McNeil, who enjoyed a 61-year career in the agriculture equipment industry, died Sunday, Sept. 1, at the age of 90.
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Notice: Annual Business Meeting, Election of Directors
The Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association will hold its Annual Business Meeting and election of directors during the 1 p.m. session Wednesday, Nov. 6, at the Marketing & Distribution Convention.
Read moreAmerica’s Loss is Canada’s Gain in Lobster Market
U.S. lobster exports to China have fallen off a cliff this year as retaliatory tariffs shift the seafood business north.
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What Three Words? Members’ Convention Testimonials
Intense. Informative. Fun. Relationships. Network. Relaxed. Collaborative. Members and convention attendees describe the fall convention in their own words.
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Guard Against Outcome Bias
When manufacturers evaluate processes based on outcome alone, they introduce a bias. Use lean thinking and follow these three steps to avoid outcome bias.
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Notice: Annual Business Meeting, Election of Directors
The Association will hold its Annual Business Meeting and election of directors Wednesday, Nov. 6, in St. Louis.
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Corn Growers React to EPA Refinery Waivers
President Trump said he will announce a plan to boost demand for biofuels after farmers reacted with outrage to an EPA decision that the NCGA said “sent shockwaves” through the industry.
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Fisher Joins Association as Consultant
John Fisher retires from Alamo Group this week. He’ll launch an independent consulting career and, through this Association, dedicate much of his time to advocating on behalf of the shortline industry in conversations on safety standards.
Read moreAgJunction Charges Kubota with Patent Infringement
Lawsuit alleges that Kubota products violate three AgJunction patents related to automated machine control and implement steering.
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U.S. Reaches Trade Deal with Japan
The agreement in principle represents significant opportunities for pork producers. President Trump also predicts stronger markets for corn and wheat.
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Canadian Government Assists Dairy Farmers
The owner of a typical farm with 80 dairy cows will be awarded about $28,000 this year to assist farmers hurt by trade disputes.
Read moreChina Buys Canadian Wheat During Canola Feud
China has imported 92 percent more Canadian wheat this crop year compared to last. Meanwhile, the countries’ canola spat drags on.
Read moreDeere’s Quarterly Report Shows Sales Dip
For the quarter ending July 28, sales at its agriculture and turf segment declined 6 percent year-on-year. Overall, equipment sales were down 3 percent. The company cut its full-year earnings outlook for the second time in the past three months.
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