Wednesday November 5 Ag News

Corn & bean farmers can net $30,000 more in 2015 with information from the Midwest Corn & Bean Expo, November 19 & 20, 2014, in Lincoln 

Dave Dickerson, 32-year veteran of Double D Crop Consultants of York, NE, is putting on the Midwest Corn Bean Expo at the Lancaster Event Center, Lincoln, NE, November 19 and 20, 2014, 9:00 am-5:00 pm each day. This event is a practical tune-up for midwest corn and bean farmers.

Dickerson feels that an average 1,000-acre farmer could easily learn how to economically increase corn production by 20 bushels/acre and increase bean production by 10 bushels/acre; adding $60,000 to the operation next year.

Full details about this event are available at the Expo’s website: midwestcornbeanexpo.com.
 
Six top-notch speakers are on the agenda:
1.  Dr. Ronnie Green, Vice-Chancellor of UNL – “The Future of Midwest Agriculture”
2.  Three different speakers sharing their practical ideas – “How I raised 300 bu corn”
3.  Gary Zoubek, Extension Educator – “Summary of 12 years of on-farm Research”
4.  John Novak, Monsanto Bio-Agri-Alliance – “Bio-stimulants, Root promoters, Foliar feeding, Next generation corn and bean production ideas”
5.  Two farmers sharing useful ideas – “How I raised 90 bu beans”
6.  Three speakers – “Outlook and Making Good Marketing Decisions”

In addition, Dickerson added there will be 50 hand-selected, top-notch exhibitors covering all aspects of modern corn and bean production. They will be available for a total of seven hours for your education.

Through the generosity of Central Valley Agriculture Coop, York, NE, all FFA students will have their $5.00 entry fee covered. Vocations, networking and new ideas will be featured.
 
Present at the Expo to answer your questions will be:
     1. Nebraska Corn Growers
     2. Nebraska Corn Board
     3. Nebraska Soybean Producers
     4. Nebraska Cattlemen’s Association
     5. Nebraska Department of Agriculture – New markets, exports
     6. UNL Extension Departments:
          a. Agronomy
          b. Animal Science
          c. Entomology
          d. Agriculture Leadership, Education and Communications

Dickerson, along with his son Bruce, designed this Expo to bring together knowledgeable people with proven practices and the latest technology available to help midwest corn/bean farmers to economically improve next year’s corn and bean crops.

“Grab a car load of your associates, attend the two-day Expo, compare notes and go home rejuvenated and full of practical ideas to improve your operation.”

For maps and motels go to lancastereventcenter.com. Lunch is available onsite. Entry fee is $10/day for adults.



Clean Fuels Expert to Speak at the Ross

As part of a nationwide effort to increase the use of clean fuels like ethanol in the transportation sector, Doug Durante, Clean Fuels Development Coalition executive director, will bring his expertise to the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center in Lincoln Nov. 12.  

Durante, 35-year veteran of biofuel policy and ethanol market development, will facilitate a short panel discussion after the premiere of “Pump,” a documentary that explores America’s dependence on foreign oil and its effect on the economy. The film opens at 7 p.m.

“With 20 million flex fuel vehicles on the road today and millions more rolling off assembly lines capable of using up to 85 percent ethanol, we have an opportunity to reap the economic and environmental benefits of the Renewable Fuel Standard,” Durante said.

Based in Bethesda, Maryland, Durante and CFDC advocate for public policy to reduce oil imports, lower carbon emissions and protect public health. He travels the country promoting CFCD’s National Flex Fuel Awareness Campaign and informing consumers about the benefits of using ethanol-blended fuels.

While Durante’s primary goal is increasing ethanol production and use, he also works with the Urban Air Initiative to support other clean alternatives to gasoline to improve air quality.

Urban Air Initiative (UAI) is nonprofit that addresses public health threats posed by domestic use of petroleum-based fuels and their additives. UAI members collaborate to find practical solutions, beginning with improving the quality of transportation fuels.

“There’s a problem with the air we’re breathing and it stems from what’s in our gasoline,” said Dave VanderGriend, UAI president. “It’s something that’s too small to see, but too big to ignore.”

“Pump” and the panel discussion are sponsored by the Nebraska Ethanol Board, Association of Nebraska Ethanol Producers and Urban Air Initiative. Admission is free and open to the public. "The Ross" theater is located at 313 N. 13th in Lincoln. The main entrance is on Thirteenth Street, directly across from the Nebraska Book Store. Parking is available on the streets surrounding the block or in the Q Place Parking lot at 11th & Q Streets.  Attendees should RSVP to rsvppump@gmail to receive free popcorn with admittance.



15th Annual Drainage Research Forum Is Nov. 18

The 15th annual Drainage Research Forum will be Nov. 18 at the Iowa State University Alumni Center on campus. Registration is at 8 a.m. and the program runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The forum provides results and updates on drainage research and farm projects by university and agency research leaders. It is jointly sponsored by Iowa State University, the University of Minnesota and South Dakota State University.

A selected list of presentation topics at the forum includes biomass production strategies and potential drainage impacts, two-stage ditch design, pumped outlets and farmer perspectives on emerging drainage practices.

The program is intended for all drainage stakeholders, including state and federal agency staff, county supervisors, crop consultants, academics, contractors, farmers and those interested in drainage research issues in the upper Midwest.

“The Drainage Research Forum is an important event for stakeholders to hear about the latest research and have an opportunity to engage in discussion with foremost experts from the nation and the region,” said Matt Helmers, professor and Extension agricultural engineer. “We hope attendees learn about current research being conducted to better understand the role of drainage in our agricultural landscapes as well as learn about methods to reduce downstream nutrient loss from our drainage systems.”

In celebration of the 15th anniversary of the Drainage Research Forum, this program will feature a special keynote address, “The History and Future of Drainage Research,” from internationally renowned drainage researcher Wayne Skaggs of North Carolina State University. Skaggs is a William Neal Reynolds and Distinguished University Professor of drainage and agricultural water management in Biological and Agricultural Engineering. He is internationally recognized for his work in drainage research and as the developer of the DRAINMOD model.

Online registration is available at www.aep.iastate.edu/drf/. Pre-registration is $50 and must be completed online by midnight, Nov. 11. Later or on-site registration is $75. Student pre-registration is $25 or $50 for later or on-site registration. Registration includes lunch and conference materials. Cancellations requesting a refund must be received by midnight, Nov. 11.



Iowa State Graduate Pierson Named Coordinator at ISU Extension's FEEL

Warren Pierson is the new coordinator at the Field Extension Education Laboratory (FEEL) at Iowa State University. Pierson began his position Nov. 1 and is responsible for organizing educational events at FEEL, which holds demonstration plots used by Iowa State faculty and ISU Extension and Outreach staff.

Pierson, an Iowa State graduate, focused his M.S. research on investigating corn growth and development as a graduate research assistant managing research trials after receiving a B.S. in agronomy. The Iowa native has experience with the teaching agronomy lab at Iowa State as well as involvement in ISU Extension and Outreach conferences

“I am excited to accept this position because it allows me to work with many different people in agriculture, including high school students, college students, farmers and agronomists,” Pierson said. “I’m excited to tie the needs of farmers and agri-businesses with our educational events [and] to make the farm more accessible to students and those involved in agriculture.”

Pierson believes his experience working as a farm assistant and crop scout will contribute to his success in the coordinator position. Assisting crop specialists, working directly in the fields and his academic achievements developed his passion for a career in agriculture.

He brings a background in agriculture, educational and work experiences, and knowledge of current topics in agriculture to his new position. “While a graduate student at ISU, I had the opportunity to teach at FEEL and already know many faculty and staff that teach there,” Pierson said.

The Field Extension Education Laboratory is a 23-acre teaching facility located west of Ames that provides hands-on training for crop production. The facility hosts a variety of programs that demonstrates management problems, solutions, and diagnostic challenges. For more information about FEEL programs, please contact Warren Pierson at wpierson@iastate.edu.



Vilsack on 2014 U.S. Agricultural Exports Setting New Record

The U.S. Department of Agriculture released its final total for U.S. agricultural exports in Fiscal Year 2014, which soared to a record $152.5 billion (up from last year's record of $141 billion).

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the following statement regarding the record-setting year:

"American farmers and ranchers have once again achieved another year of record exports Agricultural exports have climbed 41 percent in value over the past five years. U.S. agricultural exports have increased in volume as well as in monetary value, which demonstrates an increasing global appetite for high-quality, American-grown products.

"The Administration's Made in Rural America initiative, led by USDA, remains committed to strengthening rural communities, and will continue to focus on investments in rural businesses, manufacturing, energy, water and other infrastructure development. Collectively, these efforts help to expand export opportunities for what is grown and made in rural America, create jobs, and foster growth that strengthens our nation's economy."



CHS posts fiscal 2014 earnings of $1.1 billion; Second highest in history

CHS Inc., the nation's leading farmer-owned cooperative and a global energy grains and foods company, today announced earnings for fiscal 2014 of $1.1 billion, the second highest in its history.

Earnings for fiscal 2014 (Sept. 1, 2013 – Aug. 31, 2014) of $1.1 billion were up 9 percent over $992.4 million for fiscal 2013, reflecting strong energy earnings, global agricultural expertise and record local retail operations performance. Revenues for the year were $42.7 billion, down 4 percent from $44.5 billion for fiscal 2013, primarily due to lower values for commodities the company handles, including refined fuels, grain and oilseeds.

"Even as we experienced an overall softening of the global agriculture and energy sectors during fiscal 2014, CHS continued to focus on and deliver what it does best – value that helps our farmer- and cooperative-owners grow," said Carl Casale, president and chief executive officer. "We fulfilled that commitment by continuing to make significant investments in the future of our businesses; providing significant direct economic returns and maintaining a strong financial foundation for the future."

Year-over-year earnings for the CHS Energy segment declined during fiscal 2014, due to lower refining margins for much of the year for the company's two refineries. The segment also included record performance for other energy businesses, including propane, lubricants, renewable fuels marketing and transportation.

CHS Ag segment earnings for fiscal 2014 increased, reflecting the company's core competencies in logistics and risk management which enabled it to maximize volumes and earnings for its global grain marketing and wholesale crop nutrients operations. In addition, significant crop inputs and services business, along with strong grain margins, contributed to record earnings for CHS Country Operations local retail, animal nutrition and sunflower businesses. CHS Processing and Food Ingredients business earnings declined in fiscal 2014, compared with 2013, primarily due to non-cash asset impairment charges.

CHS reports results for its business services operations and two food processing-related joint ventures under the Corporate and Other heading.  Overall earnings increased in fiscal 2014 compared with the previous year. Combined earnings for CHS insurance, risk management and financing businesses declined in fiscal 2014 compared with fiscal 2013, largely due to market volatility and commodity prices which affected borrowing and hedging activity. Earnings contributions to CHS for fiscal 2014 reached high marks for the company's 50 percent ownership of Ventura Foods, LLC, a vegetable oil-based food manufacturing business, and its 12 percent share of Ardent Mills, a wheat milling venture. CHS recorded a $109.2 million gain associated with formation of Ardent Mills in May 2014.

In fiscal 2014, based on fiscal 2013 earnings, CHS returned a record $637.2 million to its owners in cash patronage, equity redemptions, preferred stock and dividends on preferred stock to its owners. This included a one-time retirement of $200 million in qualified owner equity with preferred stock.



US Ethanol Stocks Build
Ethanol inventories in the United States rebounded last week from a five-week low, rising for the first time in four weeks as blending demand eased, the Energy Information Administration reported Wednesday, Nov. 5.

Total ethanol stocks surged 130,000 barrels (bbl) to 17.169 million bbl during the week-ended Oct. 31, but are still 2.0 million bbl, or 13.2%, more than a year earlier.

Plant production declined 8,000 barrels per day (bpd), or 0.9%, last week to 929,000 bpd while up 3.0% year-over-year, with output for the four weeks ended Oct. 31 1.9% higher than year prior.

Blender inputs, a proxy for ethanol demand, decreased 18,000 bpd, or 2.0%, to 860,000 bpd, little changed year-over-year. Four-week average demand edged up 1.9% from year prior.



Corn Growers to Election Victors: Time to Get to Work!

The following is a statement from Chip Bowling, Maryland farmer and president of the National Corn Growers Association:

"Washington may look different come January, but fundamentally, things have not really changed. There is no sign that the gridlock of the past few years will diminish. Like many Americans, corn farmers are frustrated that their voices go unheard and so little gets done. We welcome both new and returning Members of Congress back to Washington, and we urge them to set aside partisan politics and meet their obligation to conduct the nation's business."



NFU Urges Passage of Tax Extenders Package in Lame-Duck Session; Working with 114th US Congress on RFS, Farm Bill Implementation

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson said today that tax breaks important to family farmers and ranchers need to be extended before the end of the year, and that NFU is looking forward to working with members on both sides of the aisle to solve issues important to family farmers and ranchers.

“NFU will strongly pursue the extension of expiring tax provisions for small business expensing and renewable energy during the upcoming lame-duck session of congress,” said Johnson. “Family farmers and ranchers rely on these provisions that are critical to managing their business.”

Johnson also noted that for well over 100 years, NFU has worked with members on both sides of the aisle and looks forward to continuing this tradition into the 114th Congress.

“Many of the issues that are most important to us –Renewable Fuel Standard and the full implementation of the 2014 Farm Bill – continue to enjoy strong bipartisan support in both chambers,” said Johnson. “We are looking forward to working with the new Congress to continue to advance those issues and make continued progress for family farmers, rural America and the nation as a whole.”



GMO Labeling Efforts Fail
Maui, Hawaii, Voters Seek to Block Biotech Cultivation

Biotech food labeling laws again were defeated by voters in two Western states on Tuesday, reflecting that public sentiment against genetically modified organisms is not as strong as industry opponents believe.

In Colorado, voters trounced Proposition 105, which would have required food companies to label foods with ingredients from biotech crops. Out of more than 1.8 million votes counted, 1.2 million voters rejected the labeling measure while 617,000 backed it.

The voting is a lot closer in Oregon where a similar measure to require food labels for foods from genetically engineered crops was sitting at 49.1% of the vote and 50.9% opposed with 89% of the precincts counted. So far, the race has not been officially called. Opponents spent more than $16 million to defeat the measure.

On a more local, yet more stringent measure, voters in Maui, Hawaii, voted 22,647 to 21,807 to block the cultivation of genetically engineered crops on the five islands that make up the county. Supporters of the measure were heavily outspent as major biotech companies invested an estimated $8 million in the race. Companies such as Monsanto and Dow AgroSciences have used the Hawaiian Islands frequently as a testing area for biotech crops.



USDA Seeks Comments on New Conservation Stewardship Rule

As the U.S. Department of Agriculture's rapid implementation of the 2014 Farm Bill continues, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced proposed changes to the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), one of USDA’s largest conservation programs for working agricultural lands.

“Farmers, ranchers, and non-industrial forestland owners enrolled in the Conservation Stewardship Program are our nation’s conservation leaders as they go the extra mile to conserve our natural resources,” Vilsack said. “This program continues to enable owners and managers of private lands to reach the next level of conservation.”

The rule also establishes the role of CSP as one of the programs to help the Regional Conservation Partnership Program accomplish its purposes. Vilsack said participants will be delivering more conservation benefits than ever under the revised program rules.

USDA published an interim final rule containing the statutory changes to CSP in the Federal Register today. USDA is seeking public comment on the rule through Jan. 5, 2015. The public comments will be used to finalize the interim final rule.

The CSP interim final rule can be viewed at nrcs.usda.gov and the Federal Register. USDA will publish a final rule, which will establish the program’s policy for the life of the 2014 Farm Bill.

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers CSP, which pays participants for conservation performance — the better the performance, the higher the payment. In CSP, producers install conservation enhancements to make positive changes in soil, water, and air quality; water quantity; plant and animal resources; and energy conservation. More than 64 million acres have been enrolled in the program since the launch of the program in 2009.



Roberts likely headed to lead Senate Ag Committee

In a series of hard-fought battles, Republicans won control of the Senate Tuesday night by securing major re-election victories for Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell and Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts, while winning at least seven U.S. Senate seats that had previously been held by Democrats.

Republicans needed to gain six seats to win a Senate majority for 2015, but they also couldn't afford to lose any incumbents. And that meant Roberts - who was seeking his fourth term in the U.S. Senate and is likely to be the chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee - couldn't afford to lose to businessman Greg Orman, who ran as an independent and refused to say whether he would caucus with either party.

After the Democratic candidate dropped out of the race, Orman held a small lead in the majority of the polls up until the election - that's despite a game-changing GOP “reset” to the Roberts campaign and a steady stream of GOP heavy hitters, like former Sen. Bob Dole, crossing the state to campaign on his behalf. The state that has consistently elected Republicans to the Senate since 1932 but, voters who were just plain fed up with gridlock in Congress seemed increasingly willing to give Orman a try.

On Tuesday night, voters in some of the more urban parts of the state near Kansas City provided Orman with an early lead.

However, Roberts still managed to beat Orman on his home turf on the southern edge of Kansas City in Johnson County - home to more Republicans and Independents than any other region of the state - by about 2,500 votes. And with support from organizations like the Kansas Farm Bureau, voters in the western and more rural parts of the state weighed in heavily for Roberts, giving him a 53 percent to 43 percent margin of victory. 

While noting that he learned a lot throughout the tough campaign, Roberts told cheering supporters at his victory party in Topeka he was “deeply humbled” by the outcome.

“I've heard my marching orders loud and clear,” Roberts emphasized in a fiery tone. “I will be bold, I will be conservative and I will be constructive. And I promise you this, we will get things done.”

“The eyes of the nation were on Kansas….. the country was counting on us to help deliver a Republican majority and we delivered,” he added.

Roberts, who previously chaired the House Committee on Agriculture from 1995-1997, said he would be the next chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and “we will put farmers and ranchers first.”



Novozymes North America Congratulates Pro-Biotech Candidates on Election Wins

Voters gave strong support yesterday to biotechnology, electing candidates who have touted the benefits of innovation in the use of enzymes, microorganisms, and biopolymers for agriculture and energy.

Iowa Senator-elect Joni Ernst, South Dakota Senator-elect Mike Rounds, Nebraska Governor-elect Pete Ricketts, and Iowa Governor Terry Branstad are all proponents of biotechnology as an economic driver.

“Biotech is critical for creating a strong economy based on sustainable use of natural resources,” said Novozymes Americas President Adam Monroe. “We look forward to working with these elected officials who understand the importance of innovative biotechnology.”

Novozymes enzymes are used to produce a wide range of products, including food, beverages, textiles, pharmaceuticals, detergents, cleaning supplies and renewable fuels. Novozymes also produces natural microorganisms that support healthy, productive crops that are resistant to pests and extreme weather.

AGRICULTURE
For the past decade, South Dakota Senator-elect Rounds has pushed to attract biotech companies to his state. In 2011, he spoke at the Livestock Biotech Summit on the “global importance of biotechnology in agriculture, medicine, and energy.”

Nebraska Governor-elect Ricketts has been a strong proponent of innovative agriculture, saying that “it boosts farm and ranch income [and] creates new opportunities for young people.”

Iowa Governor Branstad grew up on a farm and this year defended modern agriculture against “outside groups that have little knowledge.”

RENEWABLE FUELS
During the campaign, Iowa Senator-elect Ernst expressed her support for the Renewable Fuel Standard, saying that “the RFS is important to Iowa and our economy. I have always been a supporter of and an advocate for the RFS.”

Senator-elect Rounds said that he supports the RFS because it “allows the ethanol industry to mature.” He also said that “at this stage of the game, E15 works.”

In August, Governor-elect Ricketts visited and toured the Novozymes production facility in Nebraska, which produces enzymes for the biofuels industry. On his website, Ricketts says that he supports the RFS and opposes the EPA’s proposed cuts. He says also that he supports “encouraging higher blend levels, locally and across the nation.”

Iowa Governor Branstad also said that cutting biofuel targets in the RFS would be “disastrous to Iowa and the upper Midwest.”

“I would like to congratulate all of these candidates on their victories,” Monroe said. “We look forward to working with them as we build and grow the biotechnology industry.”.



ADM Directors Declare Cash Dividend

Archer Daniels Midland Company’s (NYSE: ADM) Board of Directors today declared a cash dividend of 24.0 cents per share on the company’s common stock payable Dec. 11, 2014, to Stockholders of record Nov. 20, 2014.  This is ADM’s 332nd consecutive quarterly payment, a record of 83 years of uninterrupted dividends. As of Sept. 30, 2014, there were 645,803,763 shares of ADM common stock outstanding.



ADM Reports Adjusted Third Quarter 2014 Earnings of $0.81 per Share
Adjusted EPS up 72 percent from year-ago period
Net earnings of $747 million, or $1.14 per share
Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) today reported financial results for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2014.  The company reported adjusted earnings per share of $0.81, up from $0.47 in the same period last year.  Adjusted segment operating profit was $914 million, up 45 percent from $632 million in the year-ago period. Net earnings for the quarter were $747 million, or $1.14 per share, and segment operating profit was $1.07 billion.

“The team delivered very strong results in the third quarter and made significant progress improving earnings and returns,” said ADM Chairman and CEO Patricia Woertz. “Corn Processing managed their product mix to serve good demand and optimize margins. Continued improvement in international merchandising results supported the ongoing recovery of Ag Services. And Oilseeds Processing again delivered solid results overall, benefiting from good demand and its diverse footprint and product portfolio.

“We also continued to advance our portfolio management. Since the beginning of the third quarter, we signed a deal to sell our global chocolate business; we reached an agreement to acquire Specialty Commodities Incorporated; and we completed our acquisition of WILD Flavors.

“In mid-October, we completed our previously announced buyback of 18 million shares, ahead of our year-end target. Given the strength of our balance sheet and our strong cash flows, we expect to repurchase up to 10 million more shares by the end of 2014.”

Third Quarter 2014 Highlights
•  Adjusted EPS of $0.81 excludes approximately $315 million in pretax LIFO income; a $156 million pretax gain on the expansion of the ADM-Marubeni joint venture; and a $102 million pretax loss on foreign exchange hedging of the WILD Flavors equity purchase. As a result of Euro depreciation, and net of these hedging losses, ADM’s purchase price of the WILD Flavors equity was $114 million below the price at signing.
•  Oilseeds Processing was in line with last year’s solid result, with the impact from slower farmer selling in South America offset by stronger global softseed, soybean and biodiesel results.
•  Corn Processing increased $176 million on improved margins in ethanol and sweeteners.
•  Agricultural Services increased $57 million, with improvements in international merchandising and transportation.
•  Trailing four-quarter-average adjusted ROIC was 8.5 percent, up 280 basis points year over year .
•  The net debt position of the company declined to $0.7 billion, compared with $3.4 billion at the end of the same period last year, which also resulted in a lower net interest expense.



AGCO and Appareo Systems Announce a New Joint Venture

AGCO Corporation and Appareo Systems announced today that they have agreed to enter a joint venture, building on the existing IAS (Intelligent Agricultural Solutions) business structure, to allow for breakthrough agricultural innovation. This collaboration will focus on the need for more advanced electronic technology centered around data collection, wireless communication, advanced sensors and intelligent machine control. The proposed joint venture will build on the momentum of Fuse™ Technologies, AGCO's next generation approach to precision agriculture and precision machine management. Appareo will contribute to the initiative through research and development, Intellectual Property (IP) generation and advanced technology concept development, which will be deployed through AGCO Technology Solutions.

The joint venture will develop technology for advanced machine control systems, sensing applications, automated subsystems, machine prognostics and machine health monitoring, specific protein and grain control systems, and development of innovative electromechanical devices and systems. This will provide AGCO and Appareo Systems a key vehicle to deliver advanced technology and equipment management solutions, supporting a variety of crop types and markets globally.

"Global agriculture is going through a period of revolutionary change. The need for more advanced electronic technology focused on data collection, wireless communication, advanced sensors/sensor fusion and intelligent machine control has grown exponentially. As we continue to build on AGCO's Fuse strategy, we intend to leverage the new partnership with Appareo as a key driver in building the most adept and most open data system available to the industry." said Eric Hansotia, senior vice president, global harvesting, Advanced Technology Solutions (ATS). "As the agricultural industry shifts, there is a greater need for more advanced technology, and we anticipate that this partnership will provide breakthrough innovation making our customers more profitable while supporting their mixed fleet operations."

"Appareo is very excited about forming this exciting new partnership with AGCO, the world's largest manufacturer focused strictly on agricultural equipment," said Barry Batcheller, Appareo chairman and CEO. "The unique contributions that each partner brings to this business will enable the unprecedented infusion of new to the world technologies into production agriculture."