Nationwide Network Drives Career Development

This Special Report also includes an overview of SkillsUSA, a national workforce development organization for students, empowering them to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders and responsible community members. Don’t miss in-depth coverage of the wide-ranging programs which bring students, schools and industry together with an exclusive online feature.

Defining Precision Roles & Responsibilities

Precision specialists are defined as those who provide support and technical assistance to growers employing precision technologies on their farms. Educational requirements range from various certifications to a bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering, agronomy or agricultural business, according to AgCareers.com. Employment opportunities for precision specialists include: equipment manufacturers, software developers, agriculture retailers, farm equipment dealers, cooperatives, extensions and farms.

Typical responsibilities of a precision-related role within an ag equipment dealership include:

• Implement actual work of grid and contour differential global positioning systems for soil sampling, developing information maps, recommendation maps
• Assist in marketing precision agriculture program to producers and participate in meetings within sales; understand and participate in the company or customer’s business plan and strategies
• Provide technical service and recommendations to customers and prospects 
• Assist customers in installing and calibrating their precision equipment
• Provide training for other dealership employees in precision ag
• Assist in handling customer concerns and complaints
• Interpret satellite remote sensing to identify and map field variability
• Prepare variable rate fertility, fungicide and seeding maps for customers
• Prepare variable rate and flat rate fertility, fungicide and seeding recommendations
• Provide agronomic services in field using the scouting apps or software, including pre-seed, post-seed, fungicide, pre-harvest, post-harvest recommendations

Precision Specialists Honored for Going the Extra Mile

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Farm Equipment celebrates the hard work of those making today’s precision farming systems possible every year during Precision Specialist Week. Over the past couple years, growers, dealers and manufacturers have shared stories of those going above and beyond the call of duty to keep operations running.

“Our company has a long history in recognizing those whose extra efforts are making a difference in agriculture,” says Farm Equipment editor Mike Lessiter. “We felt the precision specialist’s role has long been overlooked and is vital to the success of moving every element of technology forward — on the farm, in the dealership and in the technology development itself.”

Felipe Zavla of Vantage Northwest was among those recognized. Zavla’s career with the Fruitland, Idaho-based AGCO dealership almost didn’t even happen — he applied and interviewed several times before finally getting hired after nearly 2 years of trying.

“I’ve worked in several different industries in my life, and I can honestly say that I’ve never seen a person more dedicated to his customer, team and products than Felipe,” says James Merrill, Vantage Northwest manager. “It does not matter the time of day — Felipe takes the customer’s call. If he can’t fix the issue over the phone, and the problem can’t wait until the next day, Felipe is on the road to get them going.”

Zavla was recently promoted to a technology sales position within the dealership as a testament to his strong work ethic. 

Melissa Mohr, office manager at Bottom Line Solutions in Morton, Ill., shared the story of another dual-threat specialist in sales and service manager Jack Bartholomew. 

“Jack is a hero to many farmers each spring and fall when planters and combines hit the fields,” Mohr says. “He’s been called many times after hours or on the weekends, and without hesitation he’s there to get our customers at Bottom Line Solutions back up and going.”

Bartholomew, a former farmer himself, converted an ambulance into a “store on wheels,” fully stocked with parts and tools to serve his customers. 

“Jack has slept overnight in the service ambulance before,” Mohr says. “He serviced a late-night issue and was there first thing in the morning when his customer was ready to hit the field.” 

Elsewhere in central Illinois, when a potential problem popped up, Linco-Precision’s Andy Waters sprang into action and sent the following email to his customers and co-workers, as shared by his general manager, Lloyd Lewis:

“As of May 17, 2022, the U.S. government has decommissioned WAAS satellite 138, which has been our main correction satellite in Illinois and much of the Midwest for many years, and they are replacing it with satellite WAAS 135, which is in commission now. Only if you use WAAS on any of your systems, and only if you are having issues converging or getting a GPS fix, attached are documents on how to change the satellite settings for an EZ Guide 250, EZ Guide 500, CFX 750/FM 750, TMX using Precision IQ application and GFX 350/XCN 750 or GFX 750/XCN 1050 displays with Nav 500, or Nav 900 receivers. As far as an FMX/FM-1000 or TMX 2050/XCN 2050, I only have a video for that.”

“Andy went on to cover additional brands and models of precision equipment as well as attaching several PDF files and videos to assist area farmers in this transition,” Lewis says. “This was completely his idea, showcasing his initiative and foresight in caring for his customers.”

These are just a few of several success stories shared over the past couple years. The third annual Precision Specialist Week, sponsored by Reichhardt, took place Aug. 10-16, 2025. But there’s still time to celebrate the precision specialists making an impact in your area. Submit a nomination at Farm-Equipment.com/psweek. 

5 National Organizations Release Study on Precision Ag Benefits

Outcomes from an updated study highlighting the wide-ranging benefits of precision agriculture were published by 5 ag entities in September 2025.

The Assn. of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), in collaboration with the American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Assn., CropLife America and National Corn Growers Assn., released an updated study highlighting the wide-ranging benefits of precision agriculture across the U.S. The new report, “The Benefits of Precision Ag in the United States,” underscores how technology adoption on farms is improving yields, reducing inputs, and strengthening the resiliency of America’s food supply chain.

The update to AEM’s 2020 study provides quantifiable evidence of how farmers using precision ag technologies are achieving significant gains in productivity, input efficiency and environmental stewardship.

Highlights from the updated study include:

• Yield Enhancements: Current adoption of precision agriculture has driven a 5% boost in annual crop production with an additional 6% potential gain if adoption increases further.
• Land-Sparing Benefits: Precision agriculture has helped avoid the cultivation of 11.4 million acres of cropland — an area comparable to 5 times the size of Yellowstone National Park.
• Economic Impact per Acre: U.S. farmers utilizing precision ag technology have reduced input costs while boosting overall productivity, contributing billions in efficiency gains to the farm economy.
• Food Security and Supply Stability: By enabling more efficient production, precision ag enhances resilience in the U.S. food supply chain and helps stabilize prices for consumers.

“Farmers using precision ag technologies today are already reaping meaningful gains — and society as a whole benefits from healthier soils, more responsible water use and fewer emissions,” says Curt Blades, AEM senior vice president of Agriculture Services & Forestry. “If precision practices continue to scale, the impact could be extraordinary.”

“These findings offer a clear, data-driven case for advancing policies, investment and infrastructure that support precision agriculture. Precision ag is a story of progress,” says Megan Tanel, AEM president and CEO.