MachineryLink Creates Alliance with Vance Publishing to Benefit Farmers

For more information contact: Melissa J. Sanders 816-891-9240

KANSAS CITY, Mo — Today's farmers are looking for useful information on how to improve asset management. MachineryLink, Inc. offers farmers the tools and resources they need to help them manage their capital investments in machinery.

"MachineryLink has aligned with many agriculture companies and state producer groups in order to offer farmers the practical tools they will use for improved machinery cost management," says David Forsee, MachineryLink CEO, Kansas City, Missouri. MachineryLink can be located at www.machinerylink.com.

"We are pleased to announce that Vance Internet has selected MachineryLink to be their first corporate investment. Our partnership with Vance is a natural fit because of the synergy and strategic mission of both companies. This investment broadens our industry awareness and enhances our knowledge in niche crop areas."

Vance Internet is the investment affiliate of Vance Publishing Corp., a 60-year-old business-to-business publishing company with 28 publications in seven industries including leading agriculture publications Drovers Journal, Dealer and Applicator, Cotton Farming and The Grower. The company invests in Internet- and technology-related businesses in the company's core markets including row crops, livestock, fruits and vegetables.

According to Leonard Timm, Vance Internet president, the basis for the investment centers around shared company philosophies — providing useful tools and guidance to help farmers make better management decisions.

"An alliance with MachineryLink is a key strategic partnership with our company because MachineryLink is grounded in the agriculture industry and is the only equipment site offering farmers the resources they need to make better machinery management decisions," Timm says.

"MachineryLink has developed alliances with many producer groups, such as the National Grain Sorghum Producers and the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, to develop practical tools farmers can use for improving machinery cost management. In addition, their formation of an academic advisory board offers farmers another unbiased resource for making knowledgeable decisions about equipment value."

Timm is excited about the opportunities that will be available to farmers through this alliance. "We are looking forward to helping increase the awareness of MachineryLink and helping educate farmers on the resources available to them through this company's Web site," Timm says. The site can be found at www.machinerylink.com.

Timm also cites the backing from October Capital as a demonstration of the value the MachineryLink Web site content offers farmers. A venture capital fund established to provide capital for Internet and technology companies, October Capital was formed earlier this year by entrepreneur Lance LeMay and Ron LeMay, president and Chief Operating Officer of Sprint Corporation.

MachineryLink is the leading independent online resource for agricultural equipment cost management. The best Web site for machinery expertise and resources, MachineryLink provides tools to help producers identify and establish equipment sharing relationships, sell equipment and locate reliable used equipment helping farmers reduce their equipment costs.

Through strategic alliances with proprietary field agents, producer organizations, local classified ads and local equipment dealerships, MachineryLink expands producers' options to buy, sell and share equipment more efficiently. For more information visit www.machinerylink.com or call 816-472-5900.
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