“This investment further demonstrates our commitment to our presence in Minnesota, while supporting the growth we are experiencing in the marketplace. We are dedicated to continuing to expand our capabilities and equipment product lines to empower our customers, and this new location will be an important part of this success.”  

said Mike Ballweber, president of Doosan Bobcat North America.

Bobcat anticipates the new operation – located at 19850 Diamond Lake Road South on 22 acres in Rogers – will be fully operational by fourth quarter of 2022. The facility will offer assembly space, shipping and receiving docks, employee parking, breakroom, offices and meeting rooms.

The location in Rogers, a growing suburban community in Hennepin County and the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area, is ideal given the benefits of its unique location at the intersection of two regional roadway systems – Interstate 94 and Highway 101. This location will allow Bobcat to optimize manufacturing logistics by streamlining the company’s supply routes alongside other locations in the region, as well as create supply efficiencies that support both market demand and the company’s vigorous growth plans.

The addition of the Rogers facility will contribute to the company’s strategic manufacturing footprint plan and support its investments in facilities across North America, including a recent $26 million expansion at its facility in Litchfield, Minnesota, and $70 million expansion in Statesville, North Carolina. These efforts are part of Bobcat’s long-term strategic growth initiatives as a leading equipment manufacturer and supports its long-term commitment to employees and communities.

“We will continue to invest in our facilities, employees and manufacturing capabilities, so we can meet the future needs of our dealers and customers, while continually enhancing excellence across our business,”

added Ballweber.

The post Bobcat to Open New 225,000 Sq Plant in Minnesota appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

Extreme weather events and natural disasters are a growing threat to the safety and economic stability of Canadian communities. To support the resiliency of country’s agriculture and agri-food sector throughout these difficult times, it is imperative that producers and processors have access to the resources they need in the face of emergencies.

“Emergency Preparedness Week is an opportunity to review our emergency preparedness plans in the agricultural sector. The weather events of the past year and the avian flu we are currently experiencing are some examples of the many kinds of challenges agricultural producers must be ready to face. Our government continues to improve its practices, invest in prevention and support those who ensure our food security.”

The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Funding for the two recipient organizations will help the sector increase its capacity to face emergencies. The recipient organizations include:

• Animal Health Canada (formally known as National Farmed Animal Health and Welfare Council) in Elora, Ontario will receive up to $2,572,888, for a three year project under the AgriAssurance Program to enhance Animal Health Emergency Management in provincial/national associations. This project will help enhance the emergency management capabilities of Canada’s livestock and poultry industries, to remain ready in the face of adverse events and a continually evolving disease landscape. Outcomes include addressing lessons learned from previous animal health emergencies, improving protocols, and developing training and resources.
• Swine Innovation Porc will receive up to $446,135 under the Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program, to develop strategies to mitigate the impact of an African swine fever outbreak on the pork sector. This will help the industry prepare for a potential disease incursion and help manage surplus animals in the event of an outbreak.

“This dedicated funding for emergency management and risk assessment in the agriculture sector is a step forward that will benefit the industry, while helping our hardworking farmers and producers who feed Canadians stay prepared for future emergencies. As we mark Emergency Preparedness Week, a dedicated focus on being prepared across sectors will make Canada more resilient to the threats that exist, both globally and domestically.”

The Honourable Bill Blair, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness

Producers also have access to a comprehensive suite of Business Risk Management (BRM) programs to help them manage risks that threaten the viability of their farms. AgriStability, one of the BRM programs, protects Canadian producers against large declines in farming income for reasons such as production loss, disease outbreak, increased costs and changing market conditions. To allow farmers more time to sign up and take advantage of the support available under the program, governments recently agreed to extend the deadline to enroll to June 30, 2022.

This year’s theme is Emergency Preparedness Week: Be Ready for Anything, which highlights the importance of being prepared before disasters strike. The Government recognizes the challenges our agriculture sector has endured and will continue to work with industry partners to invest in tools and resources that help prepare for emergencies in the future.

“Past experience has demonstrated the importance of emergency preparedness to respond and recover from disruptive events. The Swine Innovation Porc welcomes the support of the Government of Canada in supporting new initiatives to develop innovative methods to face food supply threats such as African Swine Fever outbreak.”

René Roy, Vice-Chair Swine Innovation Porc

The post Canadian Government Invests in Projects To Face Agriculture Factor Emergencies appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

Lemken will therefore invest in a new plant to be built in Dinteloord (North Brabant), not far from the current facility. This new plant will also be connected to the Nieuw Prinsenland Agro Food Cluster as an additional benefit. The factory is scheduled to open its doors at the end of 2023 and will employ at least 30 additional members of staff.

Lemken’s Managing Director Anthony van der Ley explains the reasons for this step:

“The world around us is changing fast. That’s why everybody involved in the production chain needs to work together to ensure sustainability in food production. Primary agriculture, in particular, plays a pioneering role here. New technologies open up a wide range of possibilities. For example, by switching to smart mechanical weed control Lemken can apply crop care products more precisely and gradually reduce their use. That’s why we have been going full steam ahead with the development, production, and sales of Steketee machines since 2018.”

Van der Ley adds that the company’s ambitions go beyond a simple expansion and modernization:

“We want to invest significantly more in product development to build on Steketee’s position as an innovator, for example with the use of artificial intelligence.”

Nicola Lemken emphasizes.

“We place great value not only on our company’s healthy growth but also on good working conditions. We are very pleased that we have found a location nearby so that all our employees can transfer to their new workplace without difficulty. The attractive environment is also important for further recruiting requirements. In addition, we will combine the creative design of the new building with the opportunity to establish ourselves as an experienced and innovative partner for other companies, for universities and colleges, and to offer a springboard for students or startups.”

Iljan Schouten, Managing Director of Steketee, is excited about the company’s future prospects:

“Just three years after our takeover of Steketee, we are now taking a big step forward. I’m very proud that Lemken trusts the Steketee brand and our team of young talents and experienced employees. We want to create not only a state-of-the-art production facility but also a development center and an AgroForum as a source of inspiration and knowledge for our national and international customers.”

The post Lemken Invests €18 Million In a New Facility for Hoeing Technology appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

Companies to Explore Opportunities to Develop Technologies, Products and Services for Farmers to Support Profitable, Sustainable Agriculture

ADM and Farmers Business Network announced that ADM has made an equity investment as part of FBN’s latest capital funding raise and that the companies have signed a letter of intent to expand their existing relationship through a wide range of potential future areas of cooperation.

This partnership combines ADM’s scale and expertise across the global food and agriculture value chain with FBN’s cutting-edge digital farm commerce and data-analytics capabilities to identify opportunities to increase farmer profitability, expand sustainable agricultural practices, and provide farmers unprecedented convenience and product accessibility.

ADM and FBN have agreed to examine several areas of collaboration, including developing premium end markets for low-carbon grain that will reward farmers for the adoption of regenerative practices.

They will also explore working together to advance innovative technologies, like those currently offered through FBN’s Gradable platform, to improve access and data security for producers who market grain to ADM locations. Other areas of potential cooperation include:

• Enabling FBN’s 30,000 farmers to conveniently sell grain to ADM’s extensive network of origination facilities with full digital transactional record-keeping, sustainability tracking, and payments through FBN’s Gradable Platform;
• Advancing research to develop new biologicals, seed traits, fertilizers, and crop protection products;
• Enabling FBN farmers to conveniently and transparently purchase ADM products such as fertilizer and animal nutrition with FBN’s leading e-commerce and finance platform; and
• Increasing farmer convenience and input product access by leveraging ADM’s substantial physical distribution network for FBN farmers.

“Differentiated grain and sustainable solutions are two of ADM’s strategic growth platforms, and FBN is the perfect partner to help power our success as we work together to find new ways to cultivate incremental value for stakeholders across the food, sustainable solutions, and agricultural value chain. We’ve already been working with FBN and producers to connect verifiable low-carbon crops with market demand, and now we’re excited to explore new areas of growth, from digital technology and analytics to e-commerce, to shared infrastructure and geographical expansion,”

said Greg Morris, president of ADM’s Ag Services & Oilseeds business.

“Our mission as a company is to improve the profitability of family farms around the world for generations to come and this partnership with ADM promises to accelerate the development of our technologies, including our grain and sustainability platforms, that are designed to increase farmers’ profit potential. This partnership enables us to double down on putting farmers first by further investing in technologies that lower costs, improve transparency, and create local community development opportunities in rural areas,”

said Amol Deshpande, FBN co-founder, and CEO.

The companies are also continuing their pilot program, launched earlier this year, to use FBN’s Gradable platform to measure and verify the carbon score of soybeans, and to connect farmers with customers eager to purchase low-carbon intensity crops and products that command premium prices.

“Producers have played a leading role in advancing sustainable agricultural practices, and now we have new tools to quantify the beneficial impact they’re having on the environment so we can go to market differently. We’re excited to work with FBN to advance these innovative technologies, and we look forward to doing even more to help support producers,”

Morris added.

ADM’s minority investment in FBN is being made via ADM Ventures, the company’s corporate venture capital arm. ADM Ventures invests in cutting-edge startups with disruptive technologies across three key areas: human nutrition, animal nutrition, and sustainability. ADM Ventures also seeks startups that utilize ADM’s assets and feedstocks to produce sustainable materials, in addition to technologies that enhance the effectiveness or efficiency of ADM’s operations.

The post ADM Invests in and Expands Partnership with Farmers Business Network appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

John Deere announce it has made an equity investment in ClearFlame Engine Technologies, a growing start-up dedicated to the development of clean engine technology. ClearFlame’s solution enables low-carbon fuels like ethanol to be easily integrated into compression ignition engines, offering a more sustainable solution without compromising engine performance.

John Deere’s investment is in line with its strategic vision to accelerate and lead the industry in low and zero-carbon powertrain technology. John Deere will also supply an engine to use in conceptual testing, which will help validate the technology currently under development by ClearFlame.

“We made this investment to stay on the leading edge of developments in renewable fuel technology. ClearFlame’s compression ignition engine technology has the potential to reduce CO₂ emissions while continuing to provide the performance and durability our customers expect from John Deere engines,”

said Pierre Guyot, Senior Vice President, John Deere Power Systems.

“ClearFlame’s mission is to decarbonize the hardest-to-electrify sectors in a rapid and cost-effective way. Expanding our solution from heavy-duty trucking to agriculture and other off-highway markets delivers on that promise, offering significant sustainability and economic benefits that won’t compromise engine performance. We look forward to working together with John Deere and supporting its commitment to reducing net CO₂ emissions through providing renewable energy solutions,”

said BJ Johnson, ClearFlame CEO, and co-founder.

Using ethanol in place of petroleum diesel fuel in diesel engines significantly reduces carbon emissions and air quality emissions. In addition, ethanol is widely available and can offer a high-efficiency, liquid alternative fuel option.

John Deere understands the importance of renewable fuel options and is committed to exploring new solutions. “Compression ignition engines have a long life ahead — in terms of both the current source of diesel and a wide variety of alternative fuel types. John Deere already offers biomass-based diesel compatibility on our engines. These investments are the right thing to do for environmental, economic, and rural-development benefits,”

said Guyot.

Investments like this one are a critical component of John Deere’s vision to integrate smart and sustainable technology innovations with its legacy of manufacturing excellence.

The post John Deere Invests in Renewable Fuel Technology appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

One of the reasons cited by Ardan Livvey was that Deutz occupies an excellent strategic position with regard to the trends of electrification, alternative drive systems, and more efficient machinery. It is thus well placed to benefit from further change within the industry. This view is shared by the management team, and the Board of Management, therefore, welcomes any new investor that wishes to support Deutz as it pursues this strategy.

Ardan Livvey also said that it had identified as yet unused opportunities to create value for investors.

Deutz is receptive to all constructive suggestions on the company’s future development. The Board of Management has therefore contacted the investor in order to establish a dialog.

The post Deutz Welcomes New Minority Shareholder appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

“Having a UK operation takes BTT much closer to the farmer giving us feet on the ground in the UK and Europe,”

explains Pat Yeager, Director of Sales & Marketing for Bourgault Tillage Tools.

A business site in the UK offers many benefits to local farmers. BTT can take a more hands-on approach to their needs, and a comprehensive supply of stock in the UK ensures products are readily available at a cost-effective price seven days a week during peak operating times.

For 30 years, Bourgault Tillage Tools has delivered quality, innovative ground-engaging tools for agriculture worldwide. Its founder, Joseph Bourgault, still owns the company. Ryan Olson, General Manager of Bourgault Tillage Tools in Canada, says the company’s longevity and success are down to a few key elements:”People, innovation, quality, and focusing on what is important for the farmer.”

UK farmers may know Bourgault Tillage Tools because of the VOS (Versatile Opener System) seeding products becoming very popular with min and no-till operations and the quick-change Speed-Loc system used by various UK OEM’s. Many other Bourgault Tillage Tool products will become available through BTT UK, including a wide range of parts containing MAX LIFE Carbide infused technology, Forges de Niaux Disk blades, and Industriehof’s Extreme Carbide Line. This model will be tailored to the UK market and simplify the farmers’ experience by creating a “one-stop-shop” of wear parts that fit multiple machines across the farm. It also ensures that the farmer has the best possible information from the BTT UK team to make the right decision for their unique farming operation. Possibly best of all, if a solution to a re-occurring issue does not exist, the UK team has a direct connection to multiple technical teams working in Canada, France, and Germany to support them. 

Stuart Aldworth, Bourgault Tillage Tools UK & European Technical Manager has worked in the agricultural service industry in the UK since 1980 and has seen many changes in agricultural practices.

“Working at BTT UK is fascinating and very fulfilling. Being able to directly help UK farmers and contractors get the most out of their machines whilst permanently looking to the future for new or better ways of working means there is never a dull moment. Knowing that we in the UK have a research and development team in Saskatchewan, Canada to work with ensures the UK Farmer and OEM’s are in safe hands going forward into what is a challenging future.”

The post Canada Invests in UK Agriculture appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

The financial commitment builds significantly on the Foundation’s legacy of philanthropy. Since its founding in 1948, the Foundation has awarded over $340 million in grants.

As part of its 10-year commitment, the Foundation will invest:

• $100 million in the families and youth who live, work, and learn in John Deere’s communities to ensure their inclusive and equitable access to resources and educational opportunities critical for human dignity and self-sufficiency. Annual investments of two million dollars in food banks will provide the equivalent of 100 million meals over the next decade, and investments in youth education will reach at least one million underserved and underrepresented youth.
• $50 million in farmers throughout the world to bolster their capacity to make a living, feed a growing global population, reduce inequality, and protect the world around us. Through its work with a range of global partners that serve smallholder and resource-constrained family farmers, the Foundation will help 15 million farmers unlock their enormous potential.
• $50 million in John Deere’s workforce to further mobilize and build on their enormous volunteer talents and generosity to strengthen their communities and improve lives around the world.

“The urgency of running today with the vision of a better tomorrow is John Deere at our core,”

said John May, Chairman and CEO of Deere & Company and Chairman of the John Deere Foundation.

“The Foundation’s financial commitment holds true to this purpose by investing deeply in the people we serve to overcome the challenges they face today and create for themselves paths to a more prosperous tomorrow.”

The Foundation’s 10-year commitment aligns to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and the Foundation will track and report investments against relevant targets and indicators, said Nate Clark, President of the John Deere Foundation.

In the coming months, the Foundation will announce several key grants that will illustrate how this commitment is being put into action, Clark said.

Source: John Deere 

The post John Deere Foundation’s Future Investments in Families, Farmers, and Workforce appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

This additional investment reflects investment interest in Solectrac by ESG funds which is expected to close in the coming weeks. The Company announced that it acquired 14.7% of Solectrac for the consideration of $1.3 million.

“We are very impressed with Steve and the Solectrac team and their deep knowledge of the agricultural sector. We have been interested in this industry for some time because we knew EVs could have an immediate impact without the need for extensive infrastructure,”

says Alf Poor, CEO of Ideanomics.

“Solectrac is a pioneer in the electric tractor market and shares our motivation and passion for a cleaner tomorrow.”

According to Research And Markets, the global agricultural tractor market is currently valued at $75 billion, with the North American agricultural tractor market expected to reach $20 billion by 2023. The largest segment for agricultural tractors is the below-40HP segment, where Solectrac’s initial three models address the broad needs of the market. Its tractors are specifically designed to serve the needs of community-based farms, vineyards, orchards, equestrian arenas, greenhouses, and hobby farms.

“With our zero-emission electric tractors, tractor operators don’t have to choose between power and environmentally friendly practices,”

“My life’s work has been dedicated to creating clean, renewable alternatives to fossil fuels. Now—with Ideanomics and the company’s unique experience and industry perspective—we are well-positioned to achieve these goals.”

says Steve Heckeroth, CEO and founder of Solectrac and visionary in the renewable energy and EV industry.

Since this announcement, Solectrac experienced an increase in product and investment inquiries. This recent investment increases Ideanomics ownership to 24%, which will reduce to approximately 22% post-money once the additional third-party investment is finalized. The new investment by Ideanomics allows Ideanomics to increase its share of ownership sufficiently to recognize its stake in Solectrac under the equity method for US GAAP accounting purposes.

“We are very pleased to increase our investment in Steve and the Solectrac team, and we welcome the investment interest from funds looking to deploy capital in the clean energy and EV sector. We believe Solectrac has enormous potential and, given the uptick in both product inquiries and investment interest they are seeing, we exercised our rights to increase our stake so we can help Solectrac scale to meet anticipated market demand,”

said Alf Poor, CEO of Ideanomics.

“We are excited to work with Ideanomics to accelerate progress toward a cleaner, healthier future,”

said Steve Heckeroth, CEO/Founder of Solectrac.

Solectrac develops, assembles and distributes 100% battery-powered electric tractors— an alternative to diesel tractors—for agriculture and utility operations. Founded in 2012 to take electric tractors into commercial production, Solectrac was incorporated as a California Benefit Corp in 2019. It has received grants from the Indian U.S. Science and Technology Fund (IUSSTF) and the National Science Foundation (NSF). Earlier this year, Solectrac received the World Alliance Solar Impulse Efficient Solutions label from the Solar Impulse Foundation. The label was awarded for being one of the one thousand most efficient and profitable solutions that can transition society to being economically viable while being environmentally sustainable.

The post Ideanomics Invests And Increases Stake In Solectrac appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

Graco announces it has purchased approximately 100 acres of undeveloped land in Dayton, Minnesota. The parcels, which are part of the French Lake Industrial Center, are flanked by West French Lake Road to the north and east, and Brockton Lane North to the west.

Graco, headquartered in Minneapolis, also operates facilities in Anoka and Rogers, Minnesota as well as around the world. The Dayton campus is a couple of miles from each of Graco’s two existing buildings in Rogers. The land will support Graco’s sustained growth by allowing two of its three business divisions currently operating in Minneapolis to relocate.

“We’re thankful to be in a position to invest in this expansion and look forward to offering our divisions the space they need to keep designing, manufacturing, marketing, and distributing our leading technology to customers worldwide. Thank you to the City of Dayton, Greater MSP, and Xcel Energy for their assistance in making this project a reality.”

said Angela Wordell, Graco’s Executive Vice President of Operations and President of its Worldwide Oil and Natural Gas Division.

Graco intends to begin the development of a 500,000-square-foot facility along West French Lake Road to be completed by late 2022 as the first phase. Graco is currently collaborating on this project with general contractor McGough, architectural services firm HGA and project management services by Tegra.

Source: Graco

The post Graco Finalizes Purchase of Land in Dayton, Minnesota appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.