The Equipment Dealers Association (EDA) Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Kim Rominger as EDA’s new President/CEO.

Data released last week from the Federal Reserve showed a manufacturing climate that is perhaps less volatile. A dramatic gain in April was followed by a manufacturers reported a subtle dip in May. An acceleration in the near term looks unlikely given the slowdown in the auto industry.

There’s a little bit of genius tucked into the manufacturing operations of our members. You are a problem-solving and innovating

A survey of manufacturers in a seven-state region reveals the most positive outlook in the survey’s 23-year history. This level of optimism is especially remarkable given uncertainties over trade and immigration, analysts say.

In an article in the spring issue of Ag Innovator, CEO Dan Ariens describes how the 15 management principles at Ariens Co. have helped create a work culture in which everyone takes ownership of continuous improvement. Read Ariens’ full story and see the the principles at FarmEquip.org/AGI.

The editors at Strip-Till Farmer are preparing for the Fourth Annual National Strip-Tillage Conference on August 4 and 5 in Omaha.

Fastline Media Group has named Nancy Stephen as manager of Pink Tractor.

Members of Congress will be in their districts more days in July and August than any other time of year. It is important that they hear from manufacturers and the ag industry about what we need: tax reform and relief from federal regulation.

Jim Hellbusch has been elected to the Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement.

Industry experts predict that while manufacturing employers will need to fill nearly 3.5 million jobs by 2025, as many as 2 million of those could go unfilled because of the inability to find skilled workers that match employers’ needs. The solution to the problem is collaboration.

Webb Sickle Service has changed its name to Webb Cutting Components to better reflect its growing product lines and capabilities.

U.S. Department of Labor soon will begin to implement guidelines for opioid prescriptions for federal workers injured on the job. Sentry Insurance, which manages workers’ compensation claims for many member companies, has added new programs that focus specifically on opioids. 

Environment and Climate Change Canada, along with Health Canada, are considering the enactment of new stand-alone regulations to prohibit the import, use, and sale of asbestos, as well as the manufacture, use, sale, and import of products containing asbestos.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine says drug companies were dishonest with doctors and the public about their painkillers’ risks. “The evidence is going to show they knew what they were saying was not true and they did it to increase sales,” he said.

Are you looking for a distribution partner? The members-only section of the website has a search tool for you.

A California farmer faces trial in federal court this summer and a $2.8 million fine for failing to get a permit to plow his field and plant wheat. The case could set precedent requiring other farmers to obtain costly, time-consuming permits just to plow.

CCTY Bearing has hired Joe Huffer as a strategic sales manager. Huffer will lead business development in agricultural, material handling and construction accounts.

Looking for a state statute governing warranty, buyback or lemon laws? It’s at your fingertips. As a member of Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association, you have access to a library of state laws related to farm equipment.

If you would like to serve or wish to nominate a regular member for the Association’s Board of Directors, please contact Mike Kloster at mikek@worksaver.com.

Glencore has approached grain trader Bunge Ltd. about combining the companies, a deal that would give the Swiss miner a major presence in the U.S. agriculture market.

The high-profile prosecution of medical providers has highlighted the fraud problem in California, and lawmakers, in cooperation with workers compensation professionals, are targeting providers in their next steps to reform the system.

As Kubota moves from a shortliner model to a full liner model and expands their dealer development, they are now more of a threat to other major manufacturers, but they also represent an opportunity for dealers.

Sonny Perdue, U.S. Secretary of Ag, had this to day about climate change: “At USDA, we rely on sound science and we remain firmly committed to digging ever deeper into research to develop better methods of agricultural production in that changing climate.”

The USDA expects to see an increase in the agricultural trade surplus in 2017. Exports are projected at $137 billion, which is a $1 billion increase from the February forecast.

Seven member companies are celebrating milestone membership anniversaries this month. Six more are just getting started. Whether it’s decades or days, your membership is appreciated.

As has been the case in earlier dealer surveys, shortline manufacturers won high marks from their dealers in EDA’s Dealer-Manufacturer Relations Survey.

NAAA said “agricultural aviators are deeply concerned about their ability to fly safely in air space where pilots could encounter any unmanned aircraft, be it commercial or otherwise.”

The monthly reading of the Purdue/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer was 130. That’s consistent with previous months and significantly stronger than a year ago. Producers’ feelings about what lies ahead improved while their perception of current circumstances dipped.

A newly adopted Canadian pricing policy stands to hurt the bottom line of dairy farmers in the U.S. Exports to Canada of a milk protein used primarily in cheese-making have fallen from about $102 million in 2016 to zero since February. Hardest hit are farmers in Minnesota, Wisconsin and New York.

“I want someone who wakes up every morning and asks the question: ‘Where can I sell more U.S. products today?’ and ‘What are the barriers to trade that we can take down today,’” Perdue said in a video circulated to department employees.

A census of farmers in Canada shows a few shifts in the industry: fewer farmers, bigger farms, and an increase in farmers younger than 35.

No one works harder than shortline manufacturers to earn independent dealers’ business. The long-term success of shortline manufacturers is tied directly to the success of strong, independent dealers who are free to carry the equipment that best meets their customers’ needs and provides the margins dealers need to succeed.

Anything that seeks to drive a wedge between the independent dealer and their shortline partners does both sides a disservice.

The House of Representatives has passed a bill that allows companies to offer compensatory time off instead of overtime pay to employees who work more than 40 hours a week. This excerpt of a column from Diana Furchtgott-Roth makes a case for the bill.

Our attorneys who specialize in human resources law walked us through the legal definition of a contractor in the most recent issue of Ag Innovator. This one-page read offers a clear and concise overview of the legal tests.

Even before the deluge that hit southern states this past weekend, farmers in Arkansas were in trouble. Floodwaters from rain that pummeled Kansas and Missouri in late April flowed downstream in May to wreak havoc in the state.

In the grip of an economic downturn, farmers are worried about losing overseas customers, and they’re anxious about what lies ahead during NAFTA negotiations.

The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) has initiated the adoption of the following ISO standards.

The Rural Mainstreet Index in May rose to its highest level since July 2015. And, the farm equipment-sales index jumped to its highest level in more than two years.

The first six months of the fiscal year for Deere shows overseas sales are stronger than domestic sales. In ag and turf, sales increased 1 percent for the quarter and first six months primarily due to price realization.

Belltec Industries soon will expand its operations in Belton, Texas. The manufacturer of earth-boring equipment and other drilling products plans to build a $2.5 million addition to its property and employ an additional 10 people at its plant.

The Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association will elect new members to its Board of Directors in November. The committee overseeing nominations has begun its work and invites you to nominate someone or consider volunteering your service.

Ag Growth International recently announced its financial results for the first three months of 2017. Trade sales are reportedly up by 36 percent over 2016 trade sales for the same quarter. Adjusted profit is about 25 percent higher this year than last.

The AGMA Foundation has appointed Association member Scott Moss with Comer Industries to serve as chairman of its board of directors.

Buhler Industries recently reported that revenue for the second quarter was $79.5 million, down 1.9 percent from the second quarter of 2016.

Another corruption scandal in Brazil took the real down by more than 8 percent last week, making it even more difficult for U.S. corn and soybean prices to compete for exports.

The Trump administration has reached an agreement with Beijing on a broad range of trade measures, one of which opens a promising market for American cattle farmers.

Corn and soybeans nationally are on schedule, according to data released Monday from the National Agricultural Statistics Service. The crop progress report looks at the rate at which things have been planted compared to last week, last year, and a five-year average. We offer a synopsis here.

Job candidates born in the 1980s and 1990s seek a positive social atmosphere at work and a company that is committed to the environment or the social impact of its products and services.

Sub-Sahara Africa represents one of the fastest growing agricultural markets in the world, and RDO Equipment Co. intends to jump into that market through a partnership with an African entrepreneur.

U.S. Supreme Court tightens rules for where patent lawsuits can be filed. The decision is expected to make it harder for so-called patent trolls to launch cases in friendly courts.