AgJunction has named its first ever VP for Intellectual Property and General Counsel.

Caterpillar Inc. has named a Puerto Rican company to be its CAT dealer in Cuba in preparation for the day when the U.S. embargo in Cuba is lifted.

The Obama administration has released its final budget proposal for 2017. Highlights–and lowlights–in agriculture include proposed cuts to crop insurance, reduced funding for water infrastructure, and investments in ag science research and animal disease preparedness.

The use of big data raises a big question in agriculture: Who owns it? A legal expert explains the complexities of the question.

Agriculture economists see signs of optimism in the cattle industry driven by strong export numbers.

Case-New Holland initiated a fifth round of layoffs at its manufacturing plant in Fargo, N.D. The series of layoffs have affected more than 260 workers.

The USDA projects that 2016 net farm income will fall for the third straight year, but the decline will be less severe. In 2013, profits hit a record-setting $123.3 billion, then fell by 56% through 2015.

ASABE has undertaken a project to revise the Combine Capacity and Performance Test Procedure standard.

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

AGCO released its fourth-quarter numbers this month, reporting a decrease in net sales of 21.2% compared to the fourth quarter last year. For the 2015 fiscal year, net sales were down by 23.2%.

Deere has completed its acquisition of member company Monosem. Deere does not plan to change the independent nature of Monosem.

Dealer News: Dealer associations complete their merger, and Schweissguth Brothers Inc. sells to Sydenstricker Implement.

These February anniversaries represent 135 years of collective participation in the Association. We mark their milestone anniversaries this month by thanking them for their commitment to the industry and the Association.

The U.S. retail regular gasoline price is forecast to average $1.98 per gallon in 2016 and $2.21 in 2017, compared with $2.43 in 2015.

Art’s Way Manufacturing Co., Inc., has announced its financial results for last fiscal year. Marc McConnell, Chairman of the Art’s Way Board of Directors, said the company is “cautiously optimistic” about the new year.

How do you confront something that is a distortion of truth? Our presidential candidates sometimes choose to react with name-calling, but I think we can do better.

In the state of Vermont, legislation was filed that demands a response from this Association. It begins with this:

“…in order to promote the public interest and the public welfare, and in the exercise of its police power, it is necessary to regulate equipment suppliers and their representatives, and to regulate dealer agreements issued by the aforementioned who are doing business in this State in order to prevent frauds, impositions, and other abuses upon its citizens and to protect and preserve the investments and properties of the citizens of this State.

Fastline Publications has changed its name to better reflect the evolution of its print, digital, and online content.

We were sad to learn last week of the death of Diane C. Jorgensen. Diane, who is survived by her husband Donald Jorgensen, was with us at several conferences.

The Iowa Board of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences is a defendant in a lawsuit alleging its regulations are a burden on one woman’s right to make a living.

The plaintiff is Achan Agit, a war refugee from what is now South Sudan and a permanent U.S. resident. Achan’s elders taught her to braid when she was 5, and she remains a skilled braider. Earning a living, however, is complicated …

Two member companies are hiring. Openings include a territory manager for a manufacturer and an HR specialist. If you know someone who is not employed by a member company and is looking for career opportunity, pass along this information.

A private investor group that included two members of the Bestway Inc. management team recently announced the acquisition of Bestway Inc. from Rick and Debbie Heiniger.

Key to the acquisition was the retention of Bestway management personnel, with Pat Meenen being appointed President and CEO and David C. Benson as Vice President, Sales and Marketing.

Look for stories in the winter issue on changes in the farm equipment marketplace, global trade opportunities, a Spring Conference preview, Obamacare, and data security.
The new issue mails …

The USDA has announced it will begin to offer farm ownership microloans, creating a new financing avenue for farmers to buy and improve property.

Microloans provide up to $50,000 to qualified producers and can be issued to the applicant directly from the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA).

Link Manufacturing, Ltd. recently received an award for its 20 years of continuous ISO Quality Certification. SRI Quality System Registrar presented the award in December.

Several member companies have been named 2015 Partner-Level Suppliers by John Deere.The Partner award represents Deere’s highest supplier rating.

Lessiter Media’s Farm Equipment magazine has launched a new series focused on the shortline industry. The series sheds light on business models in which a shortline focus helps dealers satisfy local customers.

The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index rose slightly from December’s weak reading, according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in a 10-state region.The January index was 50.9, up from December’s 50.0 and tilting toward positive growth on the zero-to-100 scale.

See more from the economist who will speak to us at the Spring Conference …

Dairy farmers and cattle ranchers in Texas and New Mexico continue to assess their losses after winter storm Goliath wrecked their operations. An estimated 15,000 dairy cows were killed in the storm …

We have had several Association members tell us that while the tumbling price of crude oil provides welcome savings at the pump, the ripple effect of a glutted oil market hurts business.

The situation won’t be helped by this past weekend’s removal of sanctions on Iran, whose national oil company gave the instruction to increase output by about . . .

The online resource Steelworks reports that recent steel production is down compared to last year.

Deere CEO Samuel Allen took a pay cut amid the company’s down financial cycle, Crain’s Chicago Business reported. Allen’s compensation package was reduced by

Last week, delegates of the American Farm Bureau Federation from all 50 states elected leaders and approved policies that will help shape the future of agriculture.

Among priorities for 2016 will be issues such as renewable fuels, governmental reform, farm policy, risk management and international trade.

A commentary in a recent issue of the Wall Street Journal challenged the ethanol industry.

Merrill Matthews, a resident scholar with the Institute for Policy Innovation in Dallas, argued that it made economic and environmental sense to replace the 18 billion gallons of ethanol called for in the EPA’s 2016 Renewable Fuel Standards with fossil fuel.

The USDA recently released an analysis of the agricultural market in China that illustrates the potential and perils of the relationship. This market that represents 17% of U.S. ag exports is showing signs of distress.

A group of California teachers has sued its union, arguing that the hundreds of dollars a year teachers are required to pay the union represents a violation of their First Amendment rights, because the money goes to support. . .

Many of the same conditions that lifted agriculture to new heights from 2007 to 2012 are now combining to deflate it for the years 2016 to 2020, according to David Kohl, a retired ag economics professor at Virginia Tech University. Kohl describes circumstances in agriculture as an “economic reset” rather than a crash, and said this reset has begun.

I visited with Association members and friends in Iowa recently, and our conversations often led us to the upcoming presidential caucus. It became clear to me that even those who are very involved in the political process, at some point, become tired of the polling, mailings and non-stop negative political ads.

The nature of such intense campaigning and media hype can lead to distorted ideas about what’s happening in the U.S. and around the world. The truth of that goes far beyond politics; it is relevant in the farm equipment manufacturing industry, too.

If we focus only on monthly sales reports or financial statements from OEMs, we see reasons to worry. At moments like this, we must remind ourselves to also see possibilities. I heard a comment from a member years ago that I have not forgotten. He said …

A deal announced in October between Dexter and AL-KO Vehicle Technology has been finalized. DexKo Global Inc. emerged as the parent company of the combined companies.

A deal announced in October between Dexter and AL-KO Vehicle Technology has been finalized. DexKo Global Inc. emerged as the parent company of the combined companies.

I visited with Association members and friends in Iowa recently, and our conversations often led us to the upcoming presidential caucus. It became clear to me that even those who are very involved in the political process, at some point, become tired of the polling, mailings and non-stop negative political ads.

The nature of such intense campaigning and media hype can lead to distorted ideas about what’s happening in the U.S. and around the world. The truth of that goes far beyond politics; it is relevant in the farm equipment manufacturing industry, too.

If we focus only on monthly sales reports or financial statements from OEMs, we see reasons to worry. At moments like this, we must remind ourselves to also see possibilities. I heard a comment from a member years ago that I have not forgotten. He said …

Many of the same conditions that lifted agriculture to new heights from 2007 to 2012 are now combining to deflate it for the years 2016 to 2020, according to David Kohl, a retired ag economics professor at Virginia Tech University. Kohl describes circumstances in agriculture as an “economic reset” rather than a crash, and said this reset has begun.

A group of California teachers has sued its union, arguing that the hundreds of dollars a year teachers are required to pay the union represents a violation of their First Amendment rights, because the money goes to support. . .

The USDA recently released an analysis of the agricultural market in China that illustrates the potential and perils of the relationship. This market that represents 17% of U.S. ag exports is showing signs of distress.

Deere CEO Samuel Allen took a pay cut amid the company’s down financial cycle, Crain’s Chicago Business reported. Allen’s compensation package was reduced by

Last week, delegates of the American Farm Bureau Federation from all 50 states elected leaders and approved policies that will help shape the future of agriculture.

Among priorities for 2016 will be issues such as renewable fuels, governmental reform, farm policy, risk management and international trade.

A commentary in a recent issue of the Wall Street Journal challenged the ethanol industry.

Merrill Matthews, a resident scholar with the Institute for Policy Innovation in Dallas, argued that it made economic and environmental sense to replace the 18 billion gallons of ethanol called for in the EPA’s 2016 Renewable Fuel Standards with fossil fuel.

The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index rose slightly from December’s weak reading, according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in a 10-state region.The January index was 50.9, up from December’s 50.0 and tilting toward positive growth on the zero-to-100 scale.

See more from the economist who will speak to us at the Spring Conference …

We have had several Association members tell us that while the tumbling price of crude oil provides welcome savings at the pump, the ripple effect of a glutted oil market hurts business.

The situation won’t be helped by this past weekend’s removal of sanctions on Iran, whose national oil company gave the instruction to increase output by about . . .