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October 21, 2016 CapitalPress.com 7 Deere claims rival sparked antitrust ight “In this case, the Deere competitors, especially CNH, are the driving force behind the government’s investiga- tion,” the document said. Before the merger, Pre- cision Planting licensed its high-speed planting technol- ogy and sold retroit kits to farmers, who could then in- stall the equipment on exist- ing planters. Deere denies the govern- ment’s accusation that the merger reduces competition, arguing that the deal will give more farmers access to Preci- sion Planting technology due to its extensive network of re- tail outlets. “In short, the transaction will increase competition and promote consumer freedom by increasing the total num- ber of market players,” Deere said. “Restraining this vibrant competition and greater con- sumer choice in the narrow interest of a particular com- petitor is not in the public’s interest.” CNH, meanwhile, has asked to intervene in the law- suit and opposes the release of conidential information gath- ered by DOJ. Dispute centers on acquisition of high- speed planting company By MATEUSZ PERKOWSKI Capital Press Sean Ellis/Capital Press Beth Rasgorshek inspects organic watermelon seed at her farm near Nampa, Idaho, on Aug. 19. Or- ganic fruit and vegetable sales saw large increases, both in dollars and volume, in the second quarter of 2016 compared with the same period in 2015. Organic produce sales soar double digits in second quarter By SEAN ELLIS Capital Press Organic fruit and vegeta- ble sales saw large increases, both in dollars and volume, in the second quarter of 2016 compared with the same peri- od in 2015. According to United Fresh Produce Association’s Fresh- Facts on Retail report, non-or- ganic produce sales were also up during the second quarter and value-added fruit and vegetable sales continued to grow. But organic sales were par- ticularly strong. According to the report, organic produce sales were up 15 percent in dollar value and climbed past $1 billion in the second quarter. Volume increased at the same rate, “which indicates the growth is more than a relection of higher prices,” the report’s authors said. United Fresh represents every segment of the fresh produce industry, including growers, shippers, whole- salers, distributors, retailers, food-service operators and fresh cut processors. The report’s data was based on sales at more than 18,000 stores. Nine percent of all produce sales during the second quar- ter were for organic products, according to the report. Weekly dollar sales per store for organic vegetables were up 13.6 percent and weekly volume sales per store increased 13 percent despite a 0.51 percent increase in the average retail price. For organic fruit, dollar sales increased 18.8 percent and volume was up 17.9 per- cent despite a 0.73 percent in- crease in average retail price. Weekly dollar sales per store for organic apples were up 6.2 percent but volume was down 7.8 percent due to a 15.2 percent increase in aver- age retail price. On the non-organic side, the report showed strong sec- ond quarter growth for many commodities, including ap- ples, avocados, berries, citrus, onions, cucumbers and toma- toes. Bananas, grapes, cherries and melons all experienced sales and volume decreases. Highlights of the report in- clude: Weekly dollars sales of apples per store were up 13.3 percent and volume was up 0.1 percent despite a 13.2 per- cent increase in average retail price. Weekly dollar sales for av- ocados were up 2.8 percent, volume was up 5.6 percent and price was down 2.7 per- cent. For potatoes, average weekly dollar sales per store were up 3.5 percent because of a 5 percent increase in price but volume was down 1.5 per- cent. Onions showed strong growth with 9.5 percent growth in dollar sales and 8.8 percent growth in volume de- spite a price increase of 0.6 percent. Dollar sales for stone fruits were down 2.8 percent but volume increased 1.3 percent while the average retail price was down 4 percent. The report also shows that value-added fruit and vege- table sales increased 3 per- cent and 8 percent, “which reiterates the shopper’s de- mand for more convenient options.” Deere & Co. claims the federal government wants to block its acquisition of a seed technology irm at the behest of a competing equipment manufacturer. In August, the U.S. Depart- ment of Justice accused Deere of unlawful anti-competitive behavior due to its plan to buy Precision Planting, a subsidi- ary of the Monsanto Co., for $190 million. According to the govern- ment’s complaint, the merger would allow Deere to control 86 percent of the high-speed planters that allow farmers to double the speed at which they plant seeds. Deere has now respond- ed by claiming that the De- partment of Justice initially cleared the merger, “only to change its mind and bring this lawsuit when a Deere compet- itor protested.” “However, it is a funda- mental maxim that antitrust laws are meant to protect competition, not competi- tors,” according to Deere’s answer. “Growers deserve the beneits of this transaction and the increased innovation, competition, and consumer choice that a combination of Deere and Precision Planting will create.” Deere is also asking a federal judge to provide con- idential information used by DOJ to ile its complaint to attorneys from Deere and Monsanto. DOJ’s complaint is based on “investigative material” that was largely provided by CNH Industrial, a rival farm machinery company that leas- es Precision Planting tech- nology, according to Deere’s response. 16 th Annual WILLAMETTE VALLEY 3 Big Days! Tues • Wed • Thurs NOVEMBER 15 • 16 • 17 4 Big Buildings! CORE Pesticide Training for credits CPR/AED Training (Register online) Forklift Certification Classes (Register online) Antique Farm Equipment Show with over 70 pieces on display 160+ Vendors and Dozens of New Exhibitors! Another 20,000 sq. ft. of indoor heated displays! Back by Popular Demand: Wed. Evening Dine Around Oregon. Tickets available online. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15 Meetings: Oregon Farm Bureau Luncheon (by invitation) 503-399-1701 Training: CORE No registration required - 2 to 4* credit hours (Repeated Thursday) • 10:30am -12:30pm • Kaci Buhl, Oregon State University; Worker Protections Standards (2 CORE) In January of 2017, new Worker Protection Standards (WPS) for agriculture and forestry operators will come into place. This session will help you determine what WPS requirements apply to your operation and how to comply, including exceptions, restrictions, exemptions, options, and examples. Additionally, new training requirements for handler and worker employees will be covered. • 12:00-2:00pm • AED/ CPR Registration required - class size limited. Conference Room 1. Provided by Pacific Health & Safety, training conforms to National Standards used by American Heart Association. All participants receive certification and books. Register online at www.wvaeexpo.com/ classes. Fee is $25 per person. • 12:30 -1:30pm • Lunch Break • 1:30pm - 4:30pm • Melissa Scherr, ODA; Pollinator Protection (2 CORE + 1 Credit) Pollinator Protection: Declines, Pesticide Exposure and Developing Best Management Practices for Oregon Agriculture. Melissa is tasked with developing the Oregon Managed Pollinator Protection Plan. MUST ATTEND ALL 3 HOURS; 2 CORE, 1 Other WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16 Meetings: Pennington Seed Growers Breakfast (by invitation) Training: Forklift Certification Training (Free with admission) • 1:00pm – 3:00pm with driving test to follow Includes written and driving requirements, provided FREE by Overton Training. Class size limited advanced registration online at www.wvaexpo.com Dine Around Oregon - Back by popular demand! • 5:00pm – 8:00pm: $12 Admission in advance online at www.wvaexpo.com (or at the door while tickets last.) Ticketed progressive, hearty dinner event featuring food and products from Oregon. 4-6 serving stations throughout the Expo. Enjoy Oregon beef, lamb and cheese, produce, wine and brew! THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17 Training: CORE training – Repeated from Tuesday, November 15th, 2016 • 10:30am -12:30pm • Kaci Buhl, Oregon State University; Worker Protections Standards (2 CORE) In January of 2017, new Worker Protection Standards (WPS) for agriculture and forestry operators will come into place. This session will help you determine what WPS requirements apply to your operation and how to comply, including exceptions, restrictions, exemptions, options, and examples. Additionally, new training requirements for handler and worker employees will be covered. • 12:30 - 1:30pm • Lunch Break • 1:30pm - 4:30pm • Melissa Scherr, ODA; Pollinator Protection (2 CORE + 1 Credit) Pollinator Protection: Declines, Pesticide Exposure and Developing Best Management Practices for Oregon Agriculture. Melissa is tasked with developing the Oregon Managed Pollinator Protection Plan. MUST ATTEND ALL 3 HOURS; 2 CORE 1 Other A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR 2016 WILLAMETTE VALLEY AG EXPO SPONSORS: • Ag Chains Plus, Partial Sponsor, Dine Around Oregon • Ag West Supply, Partial Sponsor, Dine Around Oregon • Boshart Trucking, Full Sponsor, FFA Transportation to the event • Citizens Bank, Full Sponsor, Welcome Bags • Complete Wireless, Full Sponsor, Complimentary coffee for vendors • Crop Production Services, Partial Sponsor, Dine Around Oregon • Farmland Tractor, Full Sponsor, Antique Farm Equipment display • Fitzpatrick Painting • GK Machine, Partial Sponsor, Dine Around Oregon • Les Schwab Tires, Ag Scholarship Sponsor • Linn-Benton Tractor, Partial Sponsor, Dine Around Oregon • NW 94 Sales, Partial Sponsor, Dine Around Oregon • Northwest Farm Credit Service, Partial Sponsor, Dine Around Oregon • Pacific Health & Safety • Overton Safety Training, Full Sponsor, Forklift Training • Pape Machinery, Partial Sponsor, Dine Around Oregon • Peterson Machinery, Full Sponsor, Dine Around Oregon Presenting Sponsor • Rabo Agrifinance • Sunbelt Rentals, Full Sponsor, Sunbelt Arena • Oregonians for Food & Shelter, Full Sponsor, CORE Training • And thank you to the following Dine Around Oregon sponsors: NORPAC Foods • Reed Anderson Ranches • Manning Farms • Spring Acres Cranberries • Oregon Dairy Women • 4 Spirits Distillery • Oregon Cattleman’s Association Linn County Fair & Expo Center For Expo updates, follow us on Facebook! ROP-42-4-4/#4 3700 Knox Butte Rd. I-5 @ Exit 234 • Albany, OR CORE Pesticide Training www.wvaexpo.com (20 Minutes South of Salem) 43-4/#5