CNH Global N.V. (NYSE: CNH) today announced financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. Net sales for the quarter increased 1% (3% on a constant currency basis) to $4.7 billion. Equipment Operations posted an operating profit of $443 million or 9.4% of net sales for the quarter, as increased volumes and positive net pricing in the agricultural segment compensated for the reduction in volume in the construction segment, higher selling general and administrative expenditures and research and development expense.

I'm not sure dealers in North America will find much comfort in knowing that the situation between farm equipment dealers and their mainline suppliers here isn't very different from that of their German colleagues. Or that ag machinery dealers are facing very similar challenges to the retailers of automobiles and other equipment. But sometimes it's interesting to know.

I'm not sure dealers in North America will find much comfort in knowing that the situation between farm equipment dealers and their mainline suppliers here isn't very different from that of their German colleagues. Or that ag machinery dealers are facing very similar challenges to the retailers of automobiles and other equipment. But sometimes it's good to know you're not alone out there.

This afternoon, the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board reported that U.S. corn plantings continue to lag far behind planting progress in 2012 and the 5-year average.

Meetings are the bane of the working day, and yet it's hard to do anything without them. These days, recognizing that collaboration tends to be more creative than assembly line thinking, getting people together is how we make things happen.

Designed and manufactured in Cedar Falls Iowa, this multipurpose platform has been developed to bring versatility, convenience and independence to the user. It is designed to be carried by a tractor, either on the rear or front hitch or on a front loader.

Based on surveys from hundreds of U.S. no-till farmers, this new report represents the most comprehensive data available on U.S. no-till farming.

Dominique Bamas, CEO stated: "The pause in Q1 revenue resulted from the natural flow of the vacuum in order intake recorded in the third quarter of 2012. It's not representative of current demand which continues to be strong, although remaining volatile. Excluding the impact of the termination of the Toyota contract at the end of 2012 in France, two of our three divisions continued to grow as compared to the first quarter of 2012. So instead of only focusing on revenue, we're happily focusing on our first quarter order intake, which reached its highest level in a year, and we're organizing ourselves accordingly.

AGCO, Your Agriculture Company, (NYSE:AGCO), a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment, announced today its Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of 10 cents per share on its common stock. The dividend is payable June 14, 2013, to shareholders of record May 15, 2013.