After over half a century of selling John Deere products, a longtime family-owned dealership notified its customers last week the producer of the famed green and yellow farm and garden maintenance tools has decided to cut its ties with the business.

More than 48% of dealers say lawn and garden products are among the best prospects for increasing sales in 2014, second only to GPS/precision farming equipment, according to the September issue of Ag Equipment Intelligence. Dealers expect growth of 2-8% or more for the segment.

Avant Tecno Corp., a manufacturer of compact multi-purpose loaders and more than 100 attachments, recently announced its new two-stage snowblower attachment. When combined with the articulated compact loader, it makes snow removal easy in tight spots. The new hitch adaptor on the back allows for a salt spreader to be used in conjunction with the blower. The Avant 750 with DLX cab is road-ready and includes heat for those cold winter days

Rural Lifestyle Dealer is asking for your input about extending business hours as a way to earn more rural lifestyle business. The poll is just 2 questions. Thanks for your input. We'll report the results next week.

Consumers Not Ready for Higher Ethanol Fuel Blend Per OPEI Survey

For 20 years, the United States Lawn Mower Racing Association ended its season on Labor Day Weekend with several of those happening at the Richland County Fairgrounds.

Clyde Rodgers, founder and co-owner of Rodgers and Sons, says his Cherry Creek, N.Y., dealership had to adapt to survive during its 25-year history. Some adaptations were by choice; some not. However, they've always worked to stay true to who they are: a small, family dealership that is committed to service.

EcoBorder has developed a solution to easily upgrade the curb appeal of any lawn or landscape with its new product roll-out, the EcoBorder Curb.

Flanked by elected officials and employees, Toro Co. CEO Mike Hoffman scrambled atop Toro's new construction backhoe and tore through the parking lot Thursday to make way for a new $25 million addition at the Bloomington headquarters.