Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Alexander Says Cap-and-Trade Would Burden American Farming, Raise Food Costs

U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tn.) said on Tuesday that the House-passed climate change bill would add a new utility bill to the budget of every American farm, raising food prices for all Americans, and that instead Congress should adopt Republican proposals that offer “cheap, clean energy solutions.”

During a hearing of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, of which he is a member, Sen. Alexander said that “a lot of the prosperity in America depends on two things: cheap energy and cheap food. Both have helped give us a high standard of living, create jobs and have the most productive agriculture operations in the world.”

He pointed out that when costs to farmers rise, food prices and other costs also go up.

“Farmers especially don’t need another utility bill since farming is one of the most energy-intensive operations in our economy,” he said, “and every time you add more utility bills, prices go up. When the price of gasoline goes up, so does the price of seed and feed and of operating farm machinery. And yet, the cap-and-trade program would deliberately raise the price of gasoline, which would increase food prices for all Americans.

“Climate change is a problem, humans are causing it, and we need to deal with it, but the House-passed cap-and-trade bill does exactly the wrong thing—it’s a job-killing, $100 billion a year national energy tax that will add another utility bill to every American family. I think we need to stop and think about whether it’s the wisest policy to try and attack climate change by deliberately raising the price of energy.”

Instead, Sen. Alexander said that Congress should consider Republican proposals to build 100 new nuclear power plants, encourage electric cars and trucks, explore offshore for oil and gas and double funding for research and development to make renewable energy cost competitive with other forms of energy.

“Congress should adopt the low-cost option for dealing with climate change instead of sending a new utility bill to every American family and farm,” he said.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Lampasas Spring HO, what fun!!!

Lawson Implement had another great time at this years Lampasas Spring HO. The celebration started out great with talent contests, a hayloft party, the Spring Ho Beauty Pageant, a kiddie fishing derby, and an amazing fireworks show!
We where proud to be a sponsor and have our Lawson Implement and greenandyellowgear.com tent available to all the visitors of this years festival.

There was great response to our line of gators, mowers and John Deere Toys and John Deere Clothing. Thousands of visitors came by and we got to chat with and meet lots of wonderful folks!

The entire festival was topped off with great music and an outstanding carnival. We can't wait till next year to see everyone again!

Thursday, July 9, 2009

John Deere Summertime!

It is HOT!!! Really Hot! We have been over 100 degrees for weeks now and it seems it may never end. Good thing Green and Yellow Gear has everything we could need for a cool John Deere summer.


Keep the kids entertained for hours with the latest John Deere Toys and John Deere Games. It's too hot to go outside so keep the little ones entertained indoors with this great John Deere Playset.

If you do have to go outside be sure and stay cool with all of our great John Deere Clothing. We have a great selection of T-shirts and accessories to keep you in Yellow and Green all Summer Long.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Mack named new president of John Deere Construction & Forestry Division

New President at John Deere"s Construction & Forestry Division Looks to Build on Strong Foundation

MOLINE, Illinois (July 7, 2009) — Michael J. Mack, Jr., the new president of John Deere"s Worldwide Construction & Forestry Division, has prepared for this leadership position through a variety of assignments at Deere in finance, engineering, marketing and operations.

Mack said he is looking forward to leading the Worldwide Construction & Forestry Division, adding that he"s been impressed with the division"s track record during trying times.

"I am fortunate to be joining a close-knit team that has a strong focus on execution," he said. "My preliminary focus is to build upon the strong foundation that has been established in many areas and position Deere to make the most of the long-term potential of this division."

Mack had been senior vice president and chief financial officer of Deere & Company since January 2006. Mack had served previously in the finance division as vice president & treasurer, and in the company"s Worldwide Commercial & Consumer Division as senior vice president, marketing and administration.

He has also held other positions in a wide range of Deere disciplines in North America and Europe, including treasury, dealer systems, business development, purchasing and manufacturing. A registered professional engineer, Mack holds master"s degrees in mechanical engineering and in business administration. His career began as a summer intern engineer at Deere"s Des Moines Works.

Mack replaces Samuel R. Allen, who is the first president of Deere"s construction & forestry division to be elected to the position of chief executive officer at Deere & Company in the company"s 172-year history.

John Deere (Deere & Company — NYSE: DE) is a world leader in providing advanced products and services for agriculture, forestry, construction, lawn and turf care, landscaping and irrigation. John Deere also provides financial services worldwide and manufactures and markets engines used in heavy equipment. Since it was founded in 1837, the company has extended its heritage of integrity, quality, commitment and innovation around the globe. John Deere Construction & Forestry produces more than 120 machine models and distributes its construction, forestry and worksite products through a network of more than 1,300 dealer locations worldwide.

Monday, July 6, 2009

DEERE'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTS SAMUEL R. ALLEN

MOLINE, Illinois (June 1, 2009)— Deere & Company today announced that its board of directors has elected Samuel R. Allen, 55, president, chief operating officer, and a member of the board of directors effective 1 June, and chief executive officer effective 1 August. Robert W. Lane, 59, chairman and CEO, will serve as chairman of the board until Allen's expected succession as chairman.

"The Deere Board has completed an 18-month systematic process to choose Deere's ninth chief executive officer in its 172-year history," Lane said. "The board recognizes, as I do, that Sam is a superb, smart, ethical executive, a wise and uncommonly capable leader, and someone with the proven experience and ability to effectively lead John Deere in growing a great, sustainable, global business."

A 34-year veteran of John Deere, Allen has been president of the Worldwide Construction & Forestry Division since 2005 and has been responsible for the global operations of John Deere Power Systems since 2003. Allen has served since 2001 as a senior officer of the company with early senior leadership responsibilities in human resources and industrial relations and the oversight of John Deere Credit's global operations.

In addition, Allen has been responsible for the John Deere Intelligent Solutions Group and for Deere's Advanced Technology and Innovation since 2007. Previously in his career, he worked in positions of increasing responsibility in the Consumer Products Division, Worldwide Construction & Forestry Division, John Deere Power Systems, and the Worldwide Agricultural Division, including managing operations in Latin America, East Asia, and Australia.

"I am honored to have been selected by the board of directors to follow in the footsteps of previous chief executives who have led Deere with great distinction,” Allen said. "We have significant challenges but exciting global opportunities. I look forward to working with all of the uncommonly-committed employees of John Deere to distinctively serve our global customers in ways that are highly rewarding to our shareholders."

Other senior executive moves include:

* Michael J. Mack, Jr., who has served as senior vice president and chief financial officer since 2006, to the position of president, Worldwide Construction & Forestry Division;
* James M. Field, who until recently served as president of the Worldwide Commercial & Consumer Division and before that as vice president and comptroller of Deere & Company, to the position of senior vice president and chief financial officer; and
* Jean Gilles, who has served as senior vice president of John Deere Power Systems, to the senior officer position of senior vice president, John Deere Power Systems, John Deere Intelligent Solutions Group, and Advanced Technology and Innovation.

John Deere (Deere & Company - NYSE: DE) is a world leader in providing advanced products and services for agriculture, forestry, construction, lawn and turf care, landscaping and irrigation. John Deere also provides financial services worldwide and manufactures and markets engines used in heavy equipment. Since it was founded in 1837, the company has extended its heritage of integrity, quality, commitment and innovation around the globe.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Investment in high-tech equipment pays off with waste reduction

The higher cost of seed and fertilizer has prompted many farmers to seek ways to save money lost through duplication and waste.

The answer, says Joe Brunker, a John Deere AMS consultant at Sloan Implement in Mount Horeb, is high-tech equipment. For example, one system uses global positioning information to automatically shut off fertilizer valves in areas where it has already been applied.

Savings from less waste mean the average payback time for high-tech farm equipment is about two years, he said.

Some of the latest innovations include:

• John Deere sectional swap control: The system uses global positioning to shut off certain valves on sprayers and other equipment when it passes over ground that already has been covered. Brunker said the system has been available as an after-market addition but now is an option on Deere equipment.

• Case IH Precision Hoe 800: Announced last month, the hoe is designed for small-seeded crops such as wheat and is equipped with electronic controls that can link to monitors on Case IH tractors. Farmers can control drill functions and fold back sections of the 50-foot to 70-foot-wide hoe from the tractor cab.

• Real-time kinematic (RTK) global positioning: The GPS devices used by motorists approximate the position of the car. RTK pinpoints the position down to inches, which allows farmers to precisely align fall fertilizer with spring planting.

By MARV BALOUSEK
608-252-6135
mbalousek@madison.com

Friday, July 3, 2009

Deere says to invest over $500 mln in Russia

MOSCOW, July 3 Reuters - U.S. farm machinery maker Deere & Co will invest over $500 million in new projects in Russia in the next few years, the firm said on Friday ahead of U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to Moscow.

John Deere's president and chief operating officer, Samuel Allen, to become chief executive on Aug 1, will come to Moscow together with a large group of U.S. businessmen as part of Obama's first visit to Russia as president on July 6-8.

The firm said its investments would focus on new joint projects and innovation technologies but did not elaborate.

Russia has turned into one of the world's largest grain exporters in the past decade following a few years of abundant harvests. Deer & Co, the world's largest maker of agricultural machinery, employs about 55,000 people worldwide.

Several Russian machinery makers have run into trouble since late last year after commodities prices fell and demand for their production plummeted while global credit markets remain shut for many Russian borrowers to refinance heavy debts.

More than 500 tractors join annual Iowa joyride

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — More than 500 tractors are joining a three-day joyride around eastern Iowa, an annual 50-mile trek from Dubuque to Dyersville and back.

Organizers say 509 tractors were registered for the 10th anniversary of the Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade, which began Monday. That's up from the previous high of 450.



The line of orange, blue, yellow, red and green tractors stretched for miles, with most cruising at about 16 mph. Bearing names like John Deere, Ford and Farmall, they stick to local roads and pass tree houses, tire swings, barns and banks along the way.

Tom McClain, who traveled from Phoenix for the ride, says it's like a family reunion. Darold Sindt of Keystone, Iowa, says "tractor people" are a different sort of club.

Information from: Telegraph Herald, http://www.thonline.com