Despite the inflation in inputs, India Inc seems to have managed to protect its margins reasonably well by passing on the costs to consumers. Not all companies have been able to take price hikes to offset the entire increase in costs, but aggregate numbers for Q4FY22 show they have covered some ground.

For a universe of 927 companies (excluding banks and financials), operating profit margins contracted by only 50 basis points year-on-year to 16.37 per cent, in the three months to March. Consequently, the operating profit went up by a good 20 per cent y-o-y and the net profits by a handsome 34 per cent.

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Management commentary suggests companies plan to either raise prices further or offer smaller volumes for the same price to protect margins. By a rough reckoning, prices have been raised by 5-15 per cent for consumer staples, 10-12 per cent for durables, around 10 per cent for automobiles, 5-15 per cent for residential properties and around 5-8 per cent at fast food eateries. By passing on the cost increases, companies have managed to grow their top lines despite, in many cases, selling smaller volumes. For the sample of 927 firms, net sales in Q4FY22 rose 24.2 per cent y-o-y.

Hindustan Unilever, for instance, has upped prices by about 10 per cent, enabling it to report a revenue growth of 11 per cent y-o-y in Q4FY22 despite volumes staying flat. Despite a 9 per cent y-o-y drop in volumes, Eicher Motors posted a revenue growth of 9 per cent y-o-y, thanks to a 21 per cent y-o-y increase in the average selling prices (ASPs).

While profitability may have been under some pressure, the good news is that businesses that were hit by the pandemic are bouncing back with the economy opening up. AB Fashion and Retail, for instance, reported better-than expected Q4FY22 revenue growth of 25 per cent y-o-y as the distributor channel recovered.

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SHAWNEE TOWNSHIP — Bob and Connie Sutherland have been in the swimming pool business for 53 years, and it all started from an ad in the newspaper.

“They were looking for dealers,” Connie said. “We made an appointment and a salesman came out to the house and we decide to sell pools.”

“A salesman about five to ten times told me, ‘This is your cup of tea now,’” Bob added.

The family-based business Shawnee Pools was originally behind the family’s home. Customers could come and get a water sample tested, buy the necessary chemicals and garner some pool knowledge. Their middle daughter Deanna Roush, who has been working with her parents for 28 years, ran the retail and service teams when the business expanded to a new building and a much larger facility. This allowed Bob to concentrate on the installation side of the business.

“We have loved being a part of our customers lives and helping them create family memories in their backyard,” Roush, who will also be retiring, said. “We have the best customers that have been with us, many 20-plus years, that feel like family to us We have also been blessed with loyal, hard-working employees that have helped us through the years, and they a definitely like family to us, too.”

With 926 residential pools, 134 commercial pools and over 1,984 customers in the books, it is time to pass the torch to new leadership. Shawnee Pools has touched so many families, a fact shown by the steady stream of well-wishing customers, friends and family who were wishing Bob and Connie a wonderful time in retirement during a celebration Saturday.

At the same time, many people were meeting the new owner Chad Stall, Bob’s nephew. Stall worked for his uncle a few summers while in college. Stall earned a degree in engineering which allowed him to design for NASA and defense contractors.

“We’re looking forward to continuing to service Lima and surrounding communities with superior pool care and installation,” Stall said. “We loved that Shawnee Pools was family-run and we will be continuing that tradition. My wife and four sons will all be a part of the business and we’re grateful to the existing employees for staying on to help us plan for the future.”

Located at 4580 Spencerville Road, Bob and Connie Sutherland have made innumerable memories at Shawnee Pools, but now they are looking forward to enjoying their own backyard and spending time with their three daughters, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Shawnee Pools owners Connie and Bob Sutherland are retiring after 53 years in the business.

Chad Stall, the nephew of previous owners Bob and Connie Sutherland, is the new owner of Shawnee Pools.

Reach Dean Brown at 567-242-0409.

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Competition comment period extended

The public comment period to identify the effects of concentration and competition challenges in seed, fertilizer, other agricultural inputs, and retail markets has been extended to June 15. The U.S. Department of Agriculture seeks information about competition matters in three main areas.

• seed and agricultural inputs, particularly related to intellectual property

• food retail, such as access to retail for agricultural producers and small- and medium-sized food processors through wholesale and distribution markets

Three requests for information were published in the March 17 edition of the Federal Register. The requests are intended to provide the USDA data on competition and market access for farmers and ranchers, new and growing market competitors, and the context of the markets for farmers.

Comments should reference the docket number or the request for information, date of submission, and the page number on which the docket number is published in the Federal Register.

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Comments may be sent to Jaina Nian, Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA, Room 2055-S, STOP 0201, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-0201. Comments will be made available for public inspection at the address during regular business hours or online.

Visit regulations.gov to submit written comments. Visit ams.usda.gov and search for “anti-competitive markets” for more information.

System required for animal permits

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection’s Veterinary Services is requiring submission of all new and renewal permit applications for live animals and animal products, organisms and vectors via its eFile system. The eFile Veterinary Service Permitting Assistant determines movement requirements and prompts applicants to obtain the required documentation and/or apply for permits.

Applicants must use that system to start the permit application. Applicants with existing Veterinary Service 16-6 permits must renew them using the Veterinary Service Permitting Assistant to select materials that match the existing permit.

Visit efile.aphis.usda.gov or contact 301-851-3300 or apie@usda.gov for animal products, organisms and vectors or LAIPermits@usda.gov for live animals for more information.

Livestock-insurance options updated

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently updated three crop-insurance options for livestock producers – Dairy Revenue Protection, Livestock Gross Margin and Livestock Risk Protection. The updates were published for the 2023 crop year, which begins July 1, 2022.

Dairy Revenue Protection insures against unexpected declines in the quarterly revenue from milk sales relative to a guaranteed coverage level. Livestock Gross Margin protects against the loss of gross margin or livestock’s market value minus feed costs. Livestock Risk Protection provides protection against price declines.

Producers will have more flexibility for the options when indemnities are used to pay premiums. That can help producers manage cash flow, according to the USDA’s Risk Management Agency.

Producers may now have both Livestock Gross Margin and Livestock Risk Protection policies. But they can’t insure the same class of livestock for the same time period or have the same livestock insured by multiple policies. Additional updates by insurance option are featured.

• Dairy Revenue Protection – Dairy producers are now able to continue coverage even if they experience a disaster, such as a barn fire at their operation.
• Livestock Gross Margin – Cattle, dairy and swine coverage has been expanded. It’s available in all counties in all 50 states.
• Livestock Risk Protection – Insurance companies are now required to pay indemnities within 30 days rather than the previous 60 days, following the receipt of the claim form.
• Head limits have been increased – fed cattle – 12,000 head per endorsement and 25,000 head per crop year
• Feeder cattle – 12,000 head per endorsement and 25,000 head per crop year
• Swine – 70,000 head per endorsement and 750,000 head per crop year
• termination date in Livestock Risk Protection has been extended from June 30 to Aug. 31
• location-reporting requirements have been relaxed to list only state and county instead of the precise legal location.

Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop-insurance agents. Visit rma.usda.gov and search for “agent locator” and rma.usda.gov and search for “livestock insurance plans” for more information.

Ginseng Board election open

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection recently certified two nominees who are eligible to be elected to the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin. Wisconsin ginseng growers have until June 15 to vote on the candidates.

• Kirk Baumann of Wausau

• Danny Krueger of Wausau

Growers who haven’t received a ballot by May 20 may request one by contacting debbie.gegare@wisconsin.gov or 608-224-5116. Eligible growers may vote for the nominees or write in other eligible producers. Ballots must be emailed or postmarked by June 15.

Elected producers will serve three-year terms beginning July 1 and ending June 30, 2025.

The Ginseng Board of Wisconsin is comprised of seven at-large producers who are responsible for administering Wisconsin’s Ginseng Marketing Order. The board oversees the collection and use of about $300,000 in assessment fees paid by ginseng growers. The funding is used to support the industry through research, education and promotion of Wisconsin-grown ginseng. Visit datcp.wi.gov and search for “agricultural marketing boards” for more information.

The movement of domestic birds to all live events – such as exhibitions and swap meets – is being prohibited by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. The agency’s order comes as the state continues to see cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in domestic and wild birds.

The order expands suspension from poultry to all domestic birds. It will remain in effect until 30 days after the last detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza among domestic flocks in Wisconsin.

To report mortality or signs of illness among domestic birds, contact datcpanimalimports@wisconsin.gov or 608-224-4872 during business hours or 800-943-0003 after hours and weekends. Visit datcp.wi.gov and search for “avian influenza” for more information.

Meat-grant recipients named

Five meat processors will receive grants from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. The grants aim to grow the meat industry and improve the long-term viability of the state’s livestock industry.

A total of $200,000 was available for the 2022 meat-processor grants with a maximum of $50,000 allowed for each project. Grant recipients were selected through a competitive review process and are required to provide a match of 100 percent of the grant amount.

The agriculture department received 100 applications with more than $4.4 million in grant requests. 

• Nordik Meats of Viroqua, $25,000 – expansion of frozen storage, purchase of walk-in freezer unit and forklift, addition of labor
• Paulie’s Chop Shop of Luxemburg, $50,000 – construction of butcher shop, training, and equipment purchase
• JM Watkins of Plum City, $50,000 – construction of building and purchase of new smoker
• Crescent Meats of Cadott, $50,000 – 19,000-square-foot addition
• Sorg Farm Packing of Darien, $25,000 – reconstruction of carcass cooler and freezer, expansion of processing and cutting room

Visit datcp.wi.gov and search for “Meat and Livestock Development” for more information.

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