HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Tillage equipment manufacturer Kuhn-Krause announced plans to furlough 160 employees during the month of May.

President Greg Patrus said the company is just “re-balancing.” He said the furloughs were also the result of farmers going through tough times because of low commodity prices and trade disputes.

“When they tighten their belts, they slow down on buying farm equipment,” said Patrus.

Kuhn-Krause currently employs 285 people. Patrus says there will be plenty of work when the employees come back in June.

The announcement comes on the heels of the agricultural census which shows the number of farms in Kansas dropped by 7% over the last 5 years.

The census also found that the average farm income was $49,291 in 2017, down 3% from 2012.