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
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3700 Knox Butte Rd.
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