California: why it's so important to America's agricultural output.

That vast output is itself powered by an estimated 140,000 pieces of off-road agricultural equipment. But with California’s emission standards stricter than U.S. EPA standards, its growers are looking to OEMs for support. Powernews ag correspondent Adrian Bell sat down with Keri Mallard, Vice President and General Manager of Monarch Power Supply, Perkins distributor for the Western region of the U.S., to get the lowdown.
 

Let’s begin with Monarch. What’s your experience in the industry, and how long have you been working as a Perkins distributor?

We’ve been working with Perkins since 2022, building on the deep industry expertise and legacy of Quinn Company. Founded in 1919, Quinn has been a trusted name in equipment and power solutions across construction, agriculture and industrial sectors. Understanding the value of Perkins engines within these industries, Quinn Company made a compelling proposal to Perkins, showcasing their extensive knowledge of the industry, Western region and our commitment to customer service.

Recognising Quinn’s ability to deliver both the high-quality products and exceptional support, Perkins appointed Monarch Power Supply as its authorised distributor in the Western region for Perkins engines, parts and service – a go-to expert offering genuine Perkins parts and certified service.

Monarch combines Quinn’s longstanding reputation for excellence with Monarch’s undivided focus on Perkins engines, thus ensuring that customers receive the best power solutions and aftermarket support.
 

Most readers will be familiar with U.S. emissions standards, but what are the main features that relate to agriculture?

U.S. emissions standards for agriculture is governed by U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final standards. These focus on reducing emissions from non-road diesel engines, including those in agricultural equipment. The key requirements include significant reductions in particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), achieved using advanced technologies like exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), diesel particulate filters (DPF), and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems. The legislation also mandates the use of ultra-low-sulphur diesel (ULSD) fuel.

All Perkins engines are designed to meet or exceed these stringent Tier 4 standards. OEMs can therefore satisfy growers’ demands to tackle demanding agricultural tasks with high power and efficiency, while offering advanced emissions control technologies that reduce pollutants.

What’s more, the availability of Perkins genuine parts – including the important DPFs, EGR valves and SCR systems – gives growers peace of mind that all replacements comply with those strict emissions standards. Growers and OEMs alike can also be confident that Perkins-certified technicians are trained to service these systems to keep them compliant, reliable and operating at peak performance.
 

But California goes even further than that, doesn’t it?

Yes, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) – enacted by then-Governor Ronald Reagan, back in 1967 – has been responsible for some of the strictest emissions standards anywhere in the world. It has laid down legislation that goes beyond Tier 4 standards by requiring lower PM and NOx, plus additional engine certifications.

As with the federal regulations, Perkins engines and genuine parts are CARB-compliant, as are certified technicians, providing growers with reassurance that engines are not only efficient but also operating legally.
 

Has the CARB legislation had an impact on how Californian agriculture operates?

Emissions legislation in California, particularly under CARB regulations, has significantly impacted agriculture by requiring stricter standards for reducing PM and NOx emissions from diesel-powered equipment. OEMs have often needed to revise products to meet CARB’s stricter emissions requirements. The advanced engine technologies like EGR, DPF and SCR, have certainly helped OEMs comply with the stricter rules.

The FARMER incentive scheme, designed to take older agricultural equipment out of use by helping growers fund cleaner, compliant replacements, has been well supported by OEMs who have in turn benefited from Perkins support.
 

What about the San Joaquin Valley? It’s the largest agricultural producing area in the U.S. and is said to have some of the nation’s worst air pollution. How can Monarch work with OEMs to help growers adopt new power solutions?

Yes, it’s quite likely that the San Joaquin Valley will face stricter emissions regulations that target agriculture. Monarch is already working with OEMs to support growers, by offering Perkins engines that either meet or even exceed the CARB regulations. It’s comprehensive support like this that enables OEMs to provide the latest solutions that growers will be looking to adopt.
 

California’s well-known for being ‘ahead of the curve’ on many fronts, but especially environmental legislation and its adoption. That’s reflected in consumer trends: for example, the state has the highest numbers and proportion of EVs anywhere in the country. Do agricultural end-users also show this same interest or engagement?

Agricultural end-users in California are becoming increasingly engaged with more sustainable power solutions due to the state’s strict emissions standards and incentive programmes. However, the transition in agriculture is slower than in the consumer automotive market, owing to the heavy power demands of agricultural machinery.

Perkins engines, with their advanced emissions control and alternative fuels and biofuel capabilities, offer a bridge solution: helping agricultural operators meet their environmental goals while maintaining the performance required for large-scale farming operations.
 

Talking of biofuels…what’s the outlook in California for lower-carbon fuels?

In California, the push for lower-carbon fuels such as hydrogen, biofuels and electric power is gaining momentum. Diesel engines still dominate, especially in agriculture with its heavy-duty demand, but there’s certainly growing interest in alternative power solutions.

Perkins is already working to support this transition, with engines capable of running on alternative fuels and biofuels. It’s also offering products that are compatible with new technologies as they emerge.
 

What value do you believe the Perkins brand holds for your customers? What feedback do you get from them about the Perkins engine?

Perkins is valued for its reliability, durability and compliance with strict emissions standards – including those set by CARB. Our customers often highlight the high performance of Perkins engines and appreciate the availability of genuine parts and Perkins-certified service, providing long-term efficiency and reduced downtime.

The brand is also trusted for its strong aftermarket support, which gives customers peace of mind in maintaining compliance and maximising engine performance.
 

Is there a ‘typical’ Monarch customer?

We have a diverse range of customers! There’s the ‘classic’ OEM looking to integrate Perkins engines into their equipment, but also end-users, rental yards and parts and service dealers.

All these customers rely on Monarch for genuine Perkins parts, replacement engines, specialised diesel engine service, aftermarket support, and Perkins service training.

And they come from all industries. Agriculture, of course, but also industrial, construction and mining. They’re all sectors where high-performance, emissions-compliant engines are critical.
 

Your work with OEMs – it’s not just about the engine, but all the support, knowledge and know-how that comes with the brand. How do you help them get the most from the Perkins relationship?

Monarch acts as the vital liaison between the Perkins brand and our customers. We help them to secure the comprehensive, customised solution that meets their specific needs – meeting those strict emissions standards as well as integrating seamlessly into their equipment.

Beyond the engine supply, our focus is on support – parts, service, and training – to ensure that customers receive reliable and durable solutions tailored to their needs.

We leverage our own unique selling point (USP) – a comprehensive, hands-on approach to support OEMs with agricultural power solutions – to good effect. OEMs have come to rely on Monarch for our end-to-end integration, guiding them from engine selection to integration into machinery, followed by the pilot testing and fine-tuning that ensures performance and reliability in the field.
 

What’s the perception, if you’re aware, of Perkins engines amongst end-users?

Perkins engines are generally perceived by end-users as reliable, durable and efficient. That’s especially true within the agricultural sector.

Perkins is often seen as a niche brand. But that’s far from the reality. We find that Perkins engines match or exceed other offerings in terms of durability, overall performance and – crucially in California – emissions compliance. The Perkins grasp of emissions regulations allows it to meet the most stringent standards without sacrificing power or efficiency. That’s why Perkins is the strong choice for end-users who need that high-performance machinery – especially agricultural and industrial users.

But it’s not just about the engine; it’s the aftermarket support and its availability that helps define Perkins as a trusted and dependable solution, particularly now there’s growing awareness that the brand enjoys a solid US manufacturing base. Knowledge that there’s a dedicated U.S. Perkins team helps the brand stand toe-to-toe with the largest brands in the industry.

Monarch Power Supply serves OEMs across the western 15 states: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and the territory of Guam.