As the farm crisis grinds on, it’s not only farmers who are hurting. Manycompanies with agricultural ties are also ailing financially. Economist Dr.Ernie Goss, a professor at Creighton University, predicts a moderateturnaround over the coming months, but nothing major.Quad City-based Deere & Company is facing a 76 percent drop in earnings forthe quarter and plans temporary shutdowns at farm equipment plants inWaterloo, Ottumwa & Ankeny. Goss says this type of announcement willcontinue popping up until there’s an economic upturn.Goss says not all business sectors in this farm state are doing poorly.The Firestone plant near Des Moines which makes farm tires is alsoimplementing temporary shutdowns, idling 13-hundred workers.The production cutbacks and revenue drops being announced this week byDeere and Company are being felt all down the line. Implement dealers, likeTodd Cassady in Webster City, are seeing a decline in sales.Cassady is looking to the busy harvest season just ahead for an about-face inthe current commodities crisis.
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