Valmont held an online audio conference today to discuss the company’s second quarter performance among other things. You can listen to the conference since it was recorded by going here.
Although the overall corporate business is up, the irrigation unit is their main agricultural market and the picture wasn’t too rosy, although the company remains positive for the future.
In the Irrigation Segment, second quarter sales were $65.4 million, a 25% decrease from last year’s record second quarter results. Operating income for the segment declined 37% to $7.5 million due to lower volumes and reduced factory utilization. Cost cutting measures were taken during the quarter. In North America, demand fell substantially due to lower crop prices and inflation in energy and fertilizer costs for growers. Many farmers use large amounts of diesel fuel and prices have risen to record high levels. Certain crop fertilizers are produced as a by-product in the production of natural gas, where prices are also fluctuating in tandem with crude oil. In international markets, sales levels increased in the smaller markets while declining in major international markets largely due to lower world crop prices and increased energy costs. Valmont believes the long-term economic and water saving benefits of mechanized irrigation continue to be compelling.
For more information contact Jeff Laudin +1-402-963-1158.
I guess he had some serious health issues but he’s over them now and he must be in good shape for the schedule he’s outlined.
With last year’s physical concerns behind him and his health restored, Ferguson says he’s looking forward to working with the show’s exhibitors, visiting as many as possible in person, in addition to attending several trade shows including the National Farm Show in Louisville. Visits have already included the Gehl Corporation and Case IH. 
This isn’t the first year they’ve done it but they’re doing it a little differently this year. That is they’re using ZimmComm to pre-record interviews with growers and technical representatives for a series of radio reports. They’re 
Every once in a while you just have to take a break from the computer and “
If you’ve ever used 
TULARE, CA: The International Agri-Center has announced a new partnership with AgCareers.com, an Internet website that does for agriculture what Monster.com does for techies – it links employers seeking staff with prospective employees, all with an agricultural bent. The Agri-Center is located in Tulare, Ca. 
I pointed you to the 
Breakfast this morning in Columbia, MO was at the 
Pictured here is MFA Oil’s David Perkins, special projects manager, who also discussed how MFA Oil is supporting and encouraging the use of renewable fuels. The people attending were from a variety of business interests and many learned a lot about ethanol and biodiesel that they never knew. Judging by the questions asked there’s still a big job to do educating the general public about renewable fuels. For example, one of the speaker said that many consumers who purchase a flexible fuel vehicle (runs on E-85 or regular gas) don’t even know that they can put E-85 in it! I also heard that one of the reasons many gas pumps that contain up to a 10 blend of ethanol don’t even label it as such is because they found that consumers shied away from it thinking it would hurt their car somehow! 
Last week 
You know we advocate podcasting and are just waiting for the ag public relations world to “get it.” Some people already do. Take the folks at Purina. They podcast