(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s largest manufacturing employer is reporting a stellar first quarter of the fiscal year. Deere and Company reports net income for the first quarter of one-point-nine billion dollars, that’s up just over a billion from the first quarter a year ago. Quad Cities-based Deere also reports worldwide revenues rose 32 percent, while net sales hit 11-point-4 billion, compared to 8-point-5 billion the year before.

In a news release, Deere chairman and CEO John May said the company’s “performance is a reflection of favorable market fundamentals and healthy demand for equipment as well as solid execution on the part of employees, dealers and suppliers.”