John Deere

The origin of the farm tractor and the transition from horsepower to power farming is the focus of a new book, “Tractor Wars: John Deere, Henry Ford, International Harvester, and the Birth of Modern Agriculture.”

Deere & Co. said its fiscal fourth-quarter profit jumped 69% on strong sales of its agricultural and construction equipment despite a month-long strike that began near the end of the period, as well as ongoing supply chain problems.

Union workers at Deere & Co. would get wage increases of 10% in the first year and 5% each in the third and fifth years under a tentative contract reached between the farm-equipment maker and the United Auto Workers union.

A vehicle struck and killed a United Auto Workers member as he was walking to a picket line to join striking workers outside a John Deere distribution plant in northwest Illinois, the union and police said.

In an effort to maintain its enviable, 34-year run of labor peace, Deere & Co. and the United Auto Workers recently announced a deal to boost worker pay — by 20% over five and six years, Deere said — to keep the iconic green-and-yellow machines rolling off its 11 assembly lines and through its three distribution centers.

The OMNiDRIVE system gives combine drivers the ability to operate a driverless tractor pulling a grain cart.

The Midwest Ag Industries Exposition celebrates its 40th anniversary Aug. 25-26 at the McLean County Fairgrounds.

Prairie State Tractor unveiled plans to expand its Dixon location. The expansion project includes a new 9,600-square-foot service shop building, dedicated turf and utility service area and 2,080-square-foot wash bay.

Historic Farm Days gives visitors a glimpse into how farms operated in past decades. “I want everyone to be able to see how it was done years ago with the equipment at the show and our museum of household items,” said Chuck Stelter, president of the I&I Antique Tractor and Gas Engine Club.

The way in which the country reopens after the past 14 months of economic shutdown will impact how policy is shaped by the U.S. Congress.