Fiscal 24 has been the worst period of profitability for Iowa farmers in 10 years, causing further problems in the manufacturing sectors and creating a $1.5 billion market loss. Over the last several months, the Iowa agriculture economy has seen a tremendous downturn. Thousands of workers have been laid off at various manufacturing plants around the country. These layoffs are part of a chain reaction caused by a downtrend in the agriculture economy as a whole. Layoffs continue to happen in Waterloo, adding to the hundreds laid off in Dubuque and Davenport, among others. Cargill, an international ag food products manufacturer, has laid off… Read More »
‘We’re in a special session, we should do something special.’ — State Sen. Justin Wayne LINCOLN — Like a phoenix from the ashes, term-limited Nebraska lawmakers made what could be their last ask Thursday to revive more substantial property tax relief plans before their time in the Legislature ends. State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha, seated, listens to State Sen. Steve Halloran of Hastings. July 26, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha outlined three options for his colleagues to consider Thursday afternoon, ahead of an expected second-round debate on Legislative Bill 34. LB 34 is the evolving effort put forward… Read More »
There was not a lot of legislation that happened this session that affected equipment dealers, which is usually a good thing. Most of the time for the house and senate was spent on the governor’s agenda that she unveiled at her condition of the state address in January. The focus was on higher salaries for teachers, restructuring the AEA, and reducing state income tax for Iowans. The session this year ended the earliest it has since 2010. Even though 2024 and the past few years have been quiet in Iowa for equipment dealers, that doesn’t mean there isn’t legislation… Read More »
As I walked around our show in Lincoln this past December, and then again at our show in Des Moines the end of January this year, I couldn’t help but notice all the innovation there is in agriculture. The one product that seems to be gaining the most traction in farming practices over the past few years is drones. It was very evident with the number of vendors at the show that were displaying their drones and all their capabilities that the small, unmanned aircraft are going to have a lasting impact on the agricultural industry and already have. There… Read More »
It is that time of the year again where we see our insurance agent come into our store just a few days or the day before our insurance renews for the next year, they sit down at your desk, ask you to sign for renewal for the next year, they may tell you a little of what is changing but they don’t go over any of your coverages other than to tell you that you are covered and good for the next year when will be the next time you see or talk to them again. Even though this process… Read More »
Yesterday, Case IH and New Holland signed a Right to Repair Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF). AFBF and John Deere signed a Right to Repair MOU in January. As a result of this announcement, farmers and ranchers will continue to have access to Case IH and New Holland brand manuals, tools, product guides, and information to self-diagnose and self-repair machines, as well as support from Case IH and New Holland to directly purchase diagnostic tools and order products and parts. The MOU sets parameters for safety controls and data privacy and highlights compliance measures to… Read More »
