The Association is looking for members to serve on standing committees such as communications, convention, dealer relations, education, international relations, investment, membership, director nomination, and officer nomination.

David MacNaughton, Canada’s Ambassador to Washington, said last week that Canada “is open to renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement if that’s what President-elect Donald Trump wants.”

About 200 modified grain bins built by member company Sukup Manufacturing served as safe shelter in Haiti during Hurricane Matthew, which hit the Carribean in October.

The bins, known as Safe T Homes, are converted grain bins. Sukup manufactures the homes and works with GoServ Global, an Iowa-based philanthropic organization, which gets the homes to villages in Haiti.

The story continues to unfold in the Department of Justice antitrust lawsuit against John Deere.

Kinze Manufacturing last week asked a federal judge to protect it from having to turn over sensitive internal documents that Deere subpoenaed as part of the case.

Ag Ventures Alliance (AgVA) has invested in Environmental Tillage Systems (ETS). This investment offers both economic benefits and opportunities for AgVA members to enhance soil productivity on their own farms, an announcement from the companies said.

A president who gained power by popularizing the phrase “drain the swamp” may appear a boon for agriculture, but what lies ahead for the industry will become clearer when President-Elect Trump strikes a more measured tone than he used during his campaign.

Montag Manufacturing, makers of fertilizer application equipment, is expanding in Nebraska.

President-Elect Trump reportedly has a long list of candidates from which to pull in deciding on the nation’s new secretary of agriculture. It includes:

Ag Growth International Inc. last week announced its financial results for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30. The company also announced an agreement to acquire Yargus Manufacturing.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s final rule restricting the number of employees eligible to be treated as exempt goes into effect Thursday, Dec. 1. It could be rescinded as soon as late January, however, by a new administration or federal courts.

Kongskilde Industries has entered into an agreement to sell its grass and soil activities to CNH Industrial. Kongskilde will keep its industry and grain divisions.

Right-to-work advocates claimed victory in a handful of states last week. Kentucky saw a legislature shift and Missouri elected a pro-business governor. Alabama and South Dakota landed in favor of right-to-work issues. Virginia voters rejected a question that would have added right-to-work to the state constitution.

Star Manufacturing Company and Beall Manufacturing announced in October that Star would acquire certain assets of Beall.

For over a decade, our Association has monitored state legislation that had the potential of affecting our members, and when needed, we have worked for changes on members’ behalf.

That process begins for us each fall as bills are pre-filed for the upcoming session, but the period following elections requires additional effort as we look for changes in the make-up of the various state legislative and executive bodies.

While we never take partisan positions, it is important to note when parties in control change. In this issue of Shortliner, we take a first look at the November 8 results.

The Agricultural Driveline Manufacturers Association recently released a new safety video.

California, Maine, Massachusetts and Nevada vote to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. Medical marijuana initiatives passed in North Dakota, Arkansas, Montana and Florida.

The fall issue of Ag Innovator is on the way. Among the pieces members will see is when by Doug Griffin exploring the “new normal” of the farm equipment market and offering insight into how shortline manufacturers can best compete. Also in this issue are …

Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and David Perdue (R-Ga.) have introduced a bill aimed at making it easier for small and medium-sized manufacturers to finance new facilities.

The bill centers on a type of tax-exempt bond that can be used to finance manufacturing facilities for small- and medium-sized businesses.

The nation’s longest-serving naval aircraft carrier is berthed near the site of our Fall Marketing & Distribution Convention, and you’re invited to a private tour on Thursday morning. If you plan to join us, please let us know.

Investment research firm Morningstar, Inc., has released an industrial report that suggests good news for ag.

“…although short-term headwinds are clear and causing unrest, latent pockets of optimism lead us to conclude undervalued opportunities are present for stakeholders.”

Dave Kanicki, who is executive editor of Farm Equipment and editor/publisher of Ag Equipment Intelligence, will lead a panel discussion with dealers and distributors about the status of the industry, how shortline products fit into dealers’ plans, and how to improve communication between manufacturers and dealers.

How much longer can California agriculture legitimately continue to remain in business under current political climate? And, if it cannot, where else in the United States can farmers replicate the state’s Mediterranean climate and rich soil?

Brazil recently paved the way for imports of U.S. corn following a short corn crop, according to industry sources.

Regulators in Brazil last week met and authorized outstanding biotech products needed to open Brazil for U.S. corn exports.

Farm Bureau Federation: As president, what actions will you take to minimize the federal government’s regulatory burden on businesses such as farming and ranching? Will you support regulatory reform to ensure that federal regulations pass a cost-benefit test and make the process of writing new regulations more transparent?

Man claims 300 pot plants in his home as his farm… argued the “Right to Farm” amendment voters approved in 2014 guarantees the right to cultivate marijuana. The amendment states, in part, that “the right of farms and ranches to engage in farming and ranching practices shall be forever guaranteed in this state.”

Uber has entered the freight business.

The company started in 2009 as a phone app to summons a driver, and it is today the world’s most valuable venture-backed startup at $68 billion. This summer, it bought Otto for $680 million.

The investment freeze in Russian agriculture is thawing, thanks to this year’s good harvest and government subsidies, tractor-dealer Ekotechnika said.

All agricultural businesses will periodically face forks in the road whereupon decisions, both strategic and financial, must be made concerning the future of the business. The causes are numerous and include an older generation of management/ownership planning for succession, new partners and/or managers entering the business, younger family members not wanting to exit the business, presentation to the ownership of a significant opportunity for the business, and/or a long-term downturn impacting the business negatively and challenging the balance sheet.

A fund to help Canadian communities diversify from the asbestos business will support construction of a 22,000-square foot industrial building for Mahindra near Quebec City. It will be the tractor manufacturer’s first facilities in Canada.

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal by Deere, Kubota and Husqvarna challenging the New Hampshire Auto Dealer Bill of Rights, which retroactively extends the reach of the state’s automobile-dealer law to the farm equipment industry, thereby. . .

U.S. manufacturing expanded at a modest pace in September after unexpectedly shrinking a month earlier, underscoring limited progress for the sector.

The Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) index advanced to 51.5 from August’s 49.4 reading, which marked the first contraction in six months. Any reading above 50 signals growth.

Deere dealers are merging. Another dealer chain wants to sell and lease back its properties. And WEDA’s accounting firm has released its Cost of Doing Business report.

Art’s Way Manufacturing released its third quarter results.

Sales for the quarter were $6.43 million and $17.44 million for the nine months ending August 31

This month, we recognize the anniversary of a company who has been a member since the founding of the Association.

We found several members mentioned in articles over the last two week. Danuser, Worksaver, Kinze and Moridge Mfg Inc – Grasshopper.

Hog futures plumbed fresh seven-year-lows last week after the USDA report on hogs and pigs showed the nation’s hog herd at about 70.9 million head on September 1. This is the highest level seen since the launch of the report in 1988.

U.S. steel mills last week produced the lowest weekly output of raw steel since the second week in January.

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has activated its toll-free hotline to help farmers affected by Hurricane Matthew connect with resources that can assist with recovery.

Bass Pro Shops reached a deal last week to acquire Cabela’s Inc. for about $4.5 billion in cash, combining two of the biggest sellers of outdoor-sports equipment and apparel.

AGCO’s Martin Richenhagen has been reappointed to Obama’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa (PAC-DBIA).

ANSI/ASABE S592.1, Best Management Practices for Boom Spraying, identifies and formalizes basic spray application best management practices. It addresses areas that . . .

The U.S. Supreme Court is in conference this week regarding what cases they will take for the upcoming term. The Association should learn soon whether justices will hear Deere v. New Hampshire.

The number of auto jobs in Mexico reached 675,000 last year, a 40 percent increase from 2008. U.S. auto jobs increased 15 percent over the same period to more than 900,000, according to the Center for Automotive Research.

The Farm Science Review has named Nick Zachrich as its new manager. Zachrich joins Matt Sullivan, who began his role as superintendent of the Molly Caren center this summer. Sullivan was previously . . .

Highlights of tractor/combine sales are from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers’ Ag Flash Reports. For complete data, go to FarmEquip.org/flash.

An independent truckers’ group asked a federal appeals court panel last week to bar the government from requiring drivers to install devices that log their hours behind the wheel. The electronic logging devices, known as e-logs, will be required in most trucks used for long-haul routes by . . .

U.S. farm programs are expected to provide nearly $25 billion in assistance to help offset the low commodity prices in 2015 and 2016.

The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index sank for September and remained below growth neutral for the 13th consecutive month, according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural communities.
The overall index, which ranges between zero and 100, fell to. . .

Manufacturers of metal-cutting machines are shearing prices amid a global slump in demand caused by lower energy prices and fewer investments in high-tech equipment. Manufacturers offered discounts, extended warranties and other incentives.

A deal the size of the pending $66 billion Bayer-Monsanto merger, even when it’s expected, generates a tidal wave of media coverage and opinion-sharing. We share a few excerpts here.