One 2021 agricultural issue stands out from the rest for Progressive Farmer Senior Farmer Dan Miller: Farm equipment and parts shortages.

In a recent analysis, agricultural economists projected very high break-even prices to cover total costs at $4.73 per bushel for corn and $11.06 per bushel for soybeans. While current fall bids are above break-even levels, the 2022 projects present risks.

Owen Palm, CEO of 21st Century Equipment, a 16-dealership John Deere network straddling Nebraska, Wyoming and Colorado borders, thought an end to the pandemic-driven extra unemployment checks would bring him some people looking for jobs.

The joint boards of the Equipment Dealers Association (EDA), the Midwest-SouthEastern Equipment Dealers Association (MSEDA), the United Equipment Dealers Association (UEDA) and the Western Equipment Dealers Association (WEDA) have voted to move forward with a proposal that would consolidate the four associations. This action is the first step towards consolidating which requires a vote by dealer members of each association, which should be completed in spring 2022.