In this episode of On the Record we review John Deere’s plan for autonomy. In the Technology Corner Now Newman discuss new developments with Sabanto’s autonomy system . Also in this episode, the capital investment index from Purdue University’s Ag Economy Barometer drops again and highlights from the 2022 Cost of Doing Business Study.

Equipment Dealer Consulting LLC, the certified accounting firm affiliated with Western Equipment Dealers Assn. (WEDA), has released the 2021 Cost of Doing Business Study, a financial and business operations study providing you with straightforward guidelines for analyzing the profitability of equipment dealerships including all brands across the United States and Canada. Gord Thompson and Curt Kleoppel, CPA, CVA, review and analyze the findings from this year’s report and what that could mean for your dealership in 2022. [To view any of our webinar replays, you must be logged in with a free user account.]

According to the results of the 2020 Cost of Doing Business study from the Western Equipment Dealers Assn., dealers are doing well according to several key financial metrics, including increased aftermarket gross margins and increased revenue per employee.

After comparing all of the nominees, the judges made their decision and the 2020 Farm Equipment Dealerships of the Year is AgriVision Equipment, a 17-store John Deere dealership based in Pacific Junction, Iowa.

It was 5 years ago when I visited with Mike Boehlje, the distinguished professor in the Dept. of Agricultural Economics at Purdue University. At that time, signs were appearing that indicated the industry was in for a slowdown following 4-5 really great years of equipment sales. The special report that ensued was called “Dealing with Ag’s Boom–Bust Cycles.” Boehlje discussed a couple factors that directly impacted equipment dealers.

It was 5 years ago when I visited with Mike Boehlje, the distinguished professor in the Dept. of Agricultural Economics at Purdue University. At that time, signs were appearing that indicated the industry was in for a slowdown following 4-5 really great years of equipment sales. The special report that ensued was called “Dealing with Ag’s Boom–Bust Cycles.” Boehlje discussed a couple factors that directly impacted equipment dealers.

While visiting a Case IH dealer several years ago a farmer walked into the dealership. As he joined in on our conversation it was clear he was a loyal John Deere customer, but he was also a good friend of the owner of the Case IH dealership. He said, “I just came from my dealer down the road and you know what? They don’t have a quart of green paint in that store. They told me they could have it for me by tomorrow. Can you believe that?”

The Cost of Doing Business study is one of the industry's most valued publications and is currently prepared and published by the Western Equipment Dealers Assn.. The annual study is broken down by dealer type (agricultural, industrial, and outdoor power) and encompasses 14 important financial and operating ratios of North America's equipment dealers. Learn more about this important tool and hear industry experts provide insight about trends impacting equipment dealers across North America. This FREE webinar is brought to you by the WEDA Dealer Institute. [To view any of our webinar replays, you must be logged in with a free user account.]