Industry News

Measure's First Drone Services Franchise Opens in Illinois Largest aerial data solution provider in U.S. expands footprint to provide localized service

SPRINGFIELD, IL (September 18, 2017) – Measure, the largest U.S. provider of drone services for enterprise customers, today announced its first franchise location with the September 25 grand opening of Measure Springfield in Illinois. The new office provides local, face-to-face service for businesses in Central Illinois that are interested in using aerial data collection to improve productivity, control costs and increase workplace safety.

The franchise's primary focus is on the telecommunications, construction, energy and agriculture sectors. Capabilities range from inspecting cell tower, wind farm and solar farm infrastructure to surveying construction sites, monitoring construction project progress, and assessing crop yields, irrigation problems and pest infestations for precision agriculture. Aerial imagery for commercial real estate, insurance, media and disaster response applications is also available. Read more

Trimble Acquires 10-4 Systems

Trimble has announced it has acquired privately held 10-4 Systems, a provider of multimodal shipment visibility solutions for shippers and transportation companies.

The acquisition is aimed at expanding Trimble's portfolio of transportation management systems to include a cloud-based solution for small carriers as well as a shipper RFP platform. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Based in Boulder, Colo., 10-4 Systems offers solutions for real-time shipment visibility, offering SKU-level detail and estimated time of arrival to improve collaboration between shippers, third party logistics companies, transportation providers, and carriers.

Travis Rhyan, current president and CEO of 10-4 Systems, will continue to lead the company as executive vice president and general manager. Read more

Applied Machinery Sales Growth Spurs Team Expansion

Rock Hill, SC – Applied Machinery Sales (AMS-Merlo), supplier of world class Merlo telehandlers to the USA market is expanding its territory sales team.

"AMS-Merlo has experienced strong business expansion throughout the first part of the year, "says Garth McGillewie, president of AMS. " Growing our salesforce, as our business increases, ensures we meet the demands for the Merlo telehandler within our customer base in the construction, farming and equipment rental segments." Read more

Moore Automation Purchases Grain Dryer Control Technology, Intellectual Property And Rights To Manufacture From Kahler Automation

Trimont, MN, August 1, 2017– Effective August 1, 2017, Moore Automation now owns the intellectual property of, and rights to manufacture, the grain dryer controls developed by Kahler Automation located in Fairmont, MN. All future control panels and parts related to Kahler's grain dryer controls will be available from Moore Automation. "Moore Automation has worked with our grain dryer controls for years and are very qualified to take over this line, providing new controls and parts," said Wayne Kahler, Chairman of Kahler Automation. "We pride ourselves on prompt and quality service," said Kevin Moore, President of Moore Automation, "and we intend to continue this with the dryer control line and parts, just as Kahler has done in the past.

Poly Snout Product Line Extension for Case IH and New Holland Corn Heads

May Wes is the first to offer an after-market poly corn snout replacement for the Case IH 3400, 3200, 2600 Rigid, 2400 and 2200 Series corn heads and the New Holland 99C, 98C, 98D, 96C and 996 Series heads. The initial offering includes complete center row snout units for 30" row spacing. Presently the center poly snouts are available for delivery and retail for $762 per snout assembly. The end poly snouts are scheduled to be available soon. These new center row poly snouts are based on the popular GVL Poly Series II "Jack Knife" design that folds up, in and down. Learn more about this latest product offering online at www.maywes.com or call 800.788.6483.

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Landus Cooperative's AcreEdge Seed Brand Gears Up for 2018

ACREEDGETM SOYBEAN VARIETIES AVERAGED 69.6 BU./ACRE IN 2016; ARE PART OF UNIQUE SUPPLY CHAIN OPPORTUNITY

AMES, Iowa (Aug. 17, 2017)—Growers in more than 26 Iowa and Minnesota counties are seeing field signs with a new brand name at end of soybean rows: AcreEdgeTM seed from Landus Cooperative®. This harvest marks the first full season for Landus Cooperative's recently rebranded soybean line-up, AcreEdge. Landus Cooperative is the only farmer-owned cooperative in the United States licensed to offer branded, Monsanto traits.

Rebranded from "FC Soybeans" last spring, AcreEdge is a geographically-targeted soybean seed brand bred specifically for results in the fields of Landus Cooperative's local members and customers. Read more

Vermeer unveils first-of-its-kind self-propelled baler prototype

Back in the early 1970s, Gary Vermeer designed his first round baler — then called the "One Man Hay System" — to help meet the needs of farmers struggling to find adequate labor. That challenge isn't going away anytime soon.

At Husker Harvest Days, Vermeer unveiled a first-of-its-kind, self-propelled round baler prototype. The prototype, called the ZR5, was borne from discussions surrounding a lack of available labor in the ag world, and the demand for a baling setup that could maneuver in tight corners and adapt to varying crop conditions, notes Mark Core, executive vice president and CMO at Vermeer. Read more

The Concrete Works Featured in U.S. Rep Smith Agri-Business Tour of Missouri

WASOLA, MO – Congressman Jason Smith stopped at Concrete Works in Ozark County to see firsthand what this unique and successful agribusiness produces. Owners Sean and Cleta Sweeney founded Concrete Works in 1990 and from humble beginnings have grown to be a major supplier of pre-cast concrete feed bunks and water tanks for the nation's livestock producers. They also operate a small organic farm to showcase their products.

"Concrete Works is an excellent example of the diversity of agribusiness in Missouri," said Congressman Smith. "This agribusiness is particularly unique because they have designed their concrete mix specifically to withstand the wear and tear that comes along with agricultural and commercial use." When asked to list some keys to the company's success, Sean answered "experience". "Experience with our product, with our vendors and with our customers for almost 3 decades. Read more

Managing Farming Changes and Challenges Workshops at 3i SHOW

The Institute for Rural America announces two new farmer presentations at this year's 3i SHOW on Friday, October 13. Farm Bill, Tax and Legal Issues will begin at 1:00 p.m., followed by Working through Times of Turbulent Change in Agriculture at 2:30 p.m.

Roger A. McEowen, Kansas Farm Bureau Professor of Agricultural Law and Taxation at Washburn University School of Law in Topeka, Kansas, will present on the new Farm Bill, Tax and Legal Issues. The legal environment in agriculture is constantly changing. This presentation will provide a current perspective on the Farm Bill, tax and other legal issues facing farmers in difficult times. Besides a current update, Roger will answer questions. Read more

AGCO to Acquire Precision Planting

Three and a half months after Monsanto canceled its deal to sell Precision Planting to John Deere, AGCO has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Precision Planting from The Climate Corp., a subsidiary of Monsanto.

This is the most significant acquisition AGCO has made in the last decade, as it will likely make waves in the market and AGCO will now have an entry point into the high-speed planter market.

Greg Peterson, director of investor relations at AGCO, anticipates the deal will be finalized during the third quarter. He stresses that in the short term, nothing will change in terms of the distribution network. In addition, Precision Planting equipment will still be available for other brands of planting equipment. Read more