Workers at Bush Hog are going back gradually.

Several workers, who asked not to be identified, confirmed they had begun returning to work about a week ago. Still more returned this week.

Officials at the plant could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Wayne Vardaman, executive director of the Selma & Dallas County Economic Development Authority, confirmed that production at the plant in Selma had started again. “They’re just going to keep bringing them in there.”

Bush Hog manufactures loaders, backhoes, rotary cutters and mowers, turf and landscape tools and utility vehicles. The company has experienced retail slowdowns just as other manufacturers across the country, meaning inventory left more slowly than production replaced.

Vardaman also said there is no truth to the rumor that the company has sold to John Deere.

In January, the owners of the plant said it would explore several options to determine the future of the manufacturers. At that time, plant officials said the company “is in the process of hiring financial advisors who will assist in this effort, which may include a sale of the business.”

Bush Hog employs about 600 workers, uses about 700,000 square feet of manufacturing space and exceeds $100 million in sales annually, according to the Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce’s Web site.