In this episode of On the Record, brought to you by Associated Equipment Distributors, we take a look at some of the details in a lawsuit between Hutson Inc. and its former CEO, Josh Waggener. In the Technology Corner, Noah Newman visits Colorado farmer Blake Roth, who is boosting his efficiency with Machine Sync guidance. Also in this episode a peek at what recovery will look like for the ag equipment needs in Ukraine post-war, an update on used combine inventory and pricing and a look at the most common ways farmers are seeding cover crops.

   Associated Equipment Distributors

This episode of On the Record is brought to you by Associated Equipment Distributors — the leading association in North America for the equipment distribution industry.  Don’t miss the 2026 AED Summit – January 19–21 in Dallas, TX!

This is the premier event built exclusively for the equipment distribution industry. For three action-packed days, thousands of industry leaders come together to connect, collaborate, and unlock new opportunities. Discover hundreds of manufacturers actively seeking distribution and service partners across every area of dealership operations—from financing and software to insurance and beyond. It’s the only event designed by and for equipment dealers that has over 40 education sessions, 4 thought leadership keynote speakers, and over 200 exhibitors to meet with to shape the future of your business — and it’s your chance to be at the center of it all.  

Learn more and register today at www.aedsummit.com. Interested in discounted registration options? Contact [email protected] to discover how you can get reduced registration rates to attend this event.

 

TRANSCRIPT

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Hutson Inc. Files Suit Against Former CEO

John Deere dealership group Hutson Inc. is currently in a legal battle with its former CEO Josh Waggener. At the heart of the lawsuit is a breach of Waggener’s employee agreement. Waggener voluntarily resigned his position with Hutson as of July 14, 2024.

According to the lawsuit, in the lead up to Waggener’s resignation, the Board began to question whether Waggener was loyally and faithfully performing the duties of his position as required by his employment agreement so much so that the Board was assessing its options to terminate Waggener’s employment at the time of his resignation. 

 According to the suit, Waggener resigned from his position due to “certain physical ailments.” On the day he received his separation payment, according to the suit, Waggener announced on social media that he had accepted a job as the president and chief executive officer of W&B Service Co. in Texas. That announcement prompted the dealership to more closely examine his pre-resignation conduct. The allegations also include a number of financial matters.

We’ll have more details on the case in the October Ag Equipment Intelligence Newsletter. 

Tracking Crop Prices 

As of October 7, corn prices were $4.19, up 3 cents from our last episode. Soybeans closed at $10.22, up 9 cents. And wheat closed at $5.06, town 3 cents.  

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Third-Generation Farmer Boosts Harvest Efficiency with Machine Sync 

Today we’re headed out to Yuma, Colo., where third-generation farmer Blake Roth is loaded with precision technology across his operation. Working with his John Deere dealer 21st Century Equipment, Roth has found new ways to boost his efficiency, especially during this harvest season with Machine Sync guidance.  

Blake Roth: “We started Machine Sync during harvest last year. The biggest benefit of that is your grain cart is always in the right spot. My dad runs the grain cart and he’s in charged of logistics. It gives him free hands and free time, and he doesn’t have to worry about the position of his cart as well. He can take care of other things while he’s working.”

Dalton McMurphy: “It’s one less thing he has to worry about. His dad can continue to run the operation more smoothly while getting a consistent unload every time without the combine slowing down, which also improves their efficiency.”

Blake says reliable support from his dealer is a cornerstone of his success — being able to text or call a service technician for help during critical times in the field.   

Ukraine Ag Sector Recovery & Reconstruction Needs Estimated at $6.5 Billion

Agriculture has been a key sector in the overall Ukrainian economy, ranking third behind services and industry. In 2021, prior to the Russian invasion, agriculture accounted for more than 10% of GDP and 14% of total employment. Agriculture has also been responsible for more than 40% of Ukrainian exports.

A new report from Ag Equipment Intelligence examines the equipment needs the country will have post-war. 

A damage assessment report published in February 2025 estimates that total damages in Ukraine’s agriculture sector have climbed to roughly $11.2 billion. Farm machinery represents the largest share of total damages at 58%, which equates to nearly $6.5 billion. Damage to storage facilities amounts to another $1.9 billion. The damage assessment report, known as the RDNA4, is a collaboration between the World Bank, the Government of Ukraine, the European Union and the United Nations.

Total ag sector recovery and reconstruction needs are now estimated at $55.5 billion over a 10-year period (2025-2035), according to the RDNA4. Total irrigation sector needs are estimated at $10.9 billion. Those overall assessments include the following:

  • Farm equipment and machinery – $7.2 billion
  • Storage facilities – $2.26 billion
  • Advancement of climate-smart technologies adoption – $15 billion
  • On-farm irrigation equipment and technology – $327 million

While there are many Ukrainian farm equipment manufacturers, the Ukrainian ag economy has relied heavily on imported equipment. According to the Turkish Association of Agricultural Machinery & Equipment Manufacturers, the 10-year import average prior to the Russian invasion was roughly $1.1 billion per year.

 In the first 2 years of the war, that volume dropped nearly 20%. Nearly half of that contraction was recovered in 2024, and has continued inching upward this year. In the event of a peace settlement, the association anticipates a doubling of imports in the first stage of Ukraine’s recovery, with additional increases thereafter.

The full report will be out later this month and is available for pre-order at AgEquipmentIntelligence.com.

Used Combine Inventories Trending Down 

Inventory levels of tractors and combines are trending down, while sprayer and planter inventory levels are trending sideways, according to the latest Sandhills Global market reports. 

Asking and auction values were up in September for used planters, with mixed results in other categories. For example, used combine values rose month over month, with asking prices trending down and auction values trending sideways.

Looking at used combines a bit closer, inventory levels were down 2.21% month-over-month and down 12.74% year-over-year in September. While asking prices were up 2.26% month-over-month, they were down just over 2% year-over-year and are trending down. 

According to the report, auction values ticked up 1.53% on a monthly basis and up 5.86% year-over-year and are trending sideways. 

At 43%, the EVI spread for used combines remained unchanged from August to September.

DataPoint: Cover Crop Seeding Equipment Trends 

This week’s DataPoint is brought to you by the Precision Farming Dealer Summit. The program is now available! To view the program and to register, visit PrecisionSummit.com 

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According to Cover Crop Strategies 2025 Benchmark Study, only 54.9% of responding farmers seeded cover crops with a drill in 2024, compared to 69% and 57% the previous two years, respectively. 

A broadcast spreader was again the second most common seeding tool, used by 27.8% of farmers. Nearly 17% air seeded their covers, which was down from 22% and 19.3% in the previous two years. In 2023, we saw cover crops seeded with a vertical tillage tool nearly triple from 5.4% in 2022 to 15.5%. Last year, it dropped a few points to around 12%.

Around 22% of growers aerial seeded their covers — half used a drone and the other half flew them on via an airplane or helicopter. Drone use more than doubled in 2024, as it was only around 5% the previous two years. Regionally, 15.6% of growers in the Corn Belt seeded with a drone compared to 10% in the Lake States.

About 10% of all growers used a planter, 5% used an interseeding device, and 3% used a highboy or self-propelled sprayer. Less than 1% seeded cover crops with an on-combine seeder, while none used a pull-type sprayer.

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