National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson issued the following statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) requirements:

From the Renewable Fuels Assn. to the National Corn Growers to the National Farmers Union, reaction was swift today when the Environmental Protection Agency released the proposed 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volumetric requirements. And as you might guess, it was particularly complimentary.

In response to a Proposed Rule for the 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard Required Volume Obligations (RVO) issued today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the American Soybean Association expressed concern that the biomass-based diesel levels for 2014 and 2015 would be reduced below the amount actually produced in 2013. The rule, which establishes the amount of biofuels that obligated parties must utilize for 2014 and the amount of biomass-based diesel for 2014 and 2015, proposes a biomass-based diesel RVO of 1.28 billion gallons, less than the amount produced by the industry in 2013. EPA has also proposed to reduce the total advanced biofuels requirement, which also limits the opportunities for biodiesel.

One year ago, a net 16% of North American farm equipment dealers said they were “more optimistic” about their prospects for ag machinery sales for 2013 (31% “more optimistic,” 54% “about the same,” 15% “less optimistic). But it’s a different story this year as overall a net 9% of dealers are “less optimistic” than they were 12 months earlier (14% “more optimistic, 62% “about the same,” 23% “less optimistic”), according to the latest findings from Ag Equipment Intelligence’s “Dealer Sentiments & Business Conditions Update.”

Alamo Group Inc. (NYSE: ALG) today reported results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2013.

In 2012, the top 6 U.S. pumpkin-producing states (California, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania) supplied over 1.2 billion pounds of pumpkins. In 2013, pumpkin crop conditions varied greatly by region. Wet spring weather, followed by a hot dry summer decreased pumpkin volume in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. Growing conditions in the Midwest and Western U.S. were more favorable, and growers are reporting good quality and size for their pumpkins.

Tractor and truck maker CNH Industrial's third-quarter profit fell as a stronger euro hurt its Latin American business and its truck business suffered from pricing pressure in a flat market. The sister company of Italian car maker Fiat stuck to its full-year targets on Thursday as a strong performance from high-margin agricultural machinery is expected to offset weakness in trucks and construction equipment.

The manufacturers of tractors and combine harvesters are satisfied with the current economic situation. At the bi-annual meeting of the CEMA Product Group for large tractors and combine harvesters in Brussels on October 17 the manufacturers reported on slightly declining sales in Europe.

Yesterday, USDA reported 62% of the corn crop is in "good" or "excellent" condition, up from last week's 60%.

Farm equipment dealers say that end-of-the year selling has kicked in and manufacturers have gotten more assertive in offering incentives in an effort to boost sales.