As 2026 begins, we’ve gathered up the coverage that you, our subscribers, found most interesting in 2025. This year was an important chapter in our story and we are excited to have shared it with you!

Most Read Staff Blogs 

Case IH Plant Shutdown Rumors: Why Critical Thinking Matters in the Digital Age
By Kim Schmidt, Executive Editor

  • In this blog from April, Kim Schmidt addressed a video sent to us that claimed Case IH had shut down its Racine and Fargo plants with no notice. The question: Was it true and had we heard about it? Our B.S. meter was off the charts. Learn how to decipher truth from fiction in a fast-paced digital world.

For Fact's Sake: Myth-busting Deere Rumors
By Christine Book

  • Deere made "fake news" headlines for similar and equally bogus shutdown claims in early June. Only two months after the Case IH rumors. In the spirit of investigative journalism and to dispel rumors, we dug in to learn more about this disinformation and how it came to be.

Why Bother the Dealer?
By Mike Lessiter, Editor/Publisher

  • Tried-and-true ag media is being challenged by marketers who apparently know better than us “content folks” on how to position ag equipment. Mike Lessiter says that very few of this next generation understand the nuances and challenges of the distribution side. "If you want to keep something around for tomorrow, Job 1 is to see that it remains viable for today. And yes, it absolutely must be 'earned.'"

Is Lowering the Cost of Farm Equipment as Easy as Trump Suggests?
By Kim Schmidt, Executive Editor

  • During the Trump administration's announcement in December about the $12 billion aid package for farmers, he called for farm equipment manufacturers to lower prices “because farming equipment has gotten too expensive.” But Executive Editor Kim Schmidt asked to dealers and manufacturers if it is as easy as our president suggests?

Rant Update: Major-Line OEMs & Spending Waste
By Mike Lessiter, Editor/Publisher

  • Last fall, Mike Lessiter revisited ‘How About Spending Where a Return is Always Found?’, but this time with feedback from the ones paying the major line’s "tax." He saw a tractor executive openly gushing on LinkedIn about its NASCAR sponsorship — then inquired about the indirect — or sometimes direct “tax” that dealers were expected to pick up as a cost of doing business.

Most Read Guest Blogs

Dealer Purity: A Policy That Hurts Dealers, Customers & Industry
By John Schmeiser, Ag Industry Consultant

  • In this September guest blog from John Schmeiser, an ag industry consultant, who most recently served as Chief Operating Officer for NAEDA, details the true repercussions of dealer purity. "On paper, these purity policies may look like brand management. In reality, they limit choice, drive up costs, and undermine the independence of both dealers and their customers. Dealer purity is not good for the end user, and it is not good for the long-term health of the farm equipment industry."

Dealers Respond to How Tariffs Will Impact the Used Equipment Market
By Andy Campbell, Contributing Writer

  • On April 2, President Trump announced a sweeping 10% tariff on all countries, with additional reciprocal tariffs aimed at nations with which the U.S. has significant trade deficits. The move stirred considerable conversation across political, economic and agricultural circles. Andy Campbell and the Tractor Zoom team wanted to cut through the noise and focus on how these tariffs may affect the used equipment market. 

Buy-Back Laws Don’t Hurt the Equipment Industry — They Strengthen It
By John Schmeiser, Ag Industry Consultant

  • At the end of July, John Schmeiser was in contact with a colleague when a concern arose. Some dealers were terminating contracts just to generate cash. "That kind of behavior? It’s rare. Extremely rare. And, as someone who has worked closely with dealers for decades, I would never advise using repurchase laws that way." Still, the question remains: Are buy-back laws good or bad for the industry?

The Story of Morry Taylor & Titan International, Part I: Where I Come From
By Morry "The Grizz" Taylor, Chairman of the Board for Titan International

  • Guest columnist Morry Taylor storied a career that began in tool and die manufacturing before becoming a manufacturer’s rep in the heavy-duty wheel business. Following his rise and the eventual acquisition of Titan Wheel International from Firestone, he gained national attention as a GOP presidential candidate in 1996, an experience he chronicled in his bold book "Kill All the Lawyers — And Other Ways to Fix the Government", which this is excerpted from.

Tried & True Insights Into Equipment Dealerships
By George Russell, Contributing Writer

  • “There are 4 truisms we use in our consulting and training with dealership leaders,” says George Russell of Machinery Advisors Consortium in this October blog. “These are also good reminders aligned with our 2025 theme: ‘In Turbulent Times: Seek Stability by Adapting and by Seizing Opportunities.’”

Farm Equipment Hall of Fame Class of 2025

  • Woody McCartney, A.C. McCartney (ACM) By Mike Lessiter, Editor/Publisher
    • In 1950, a Durand, Ill., filling station owner by the name of Al McCartney was visited by a traveling Allis-Chalmers sales rep. Following a quick conversation, Al became an equipment dealer under the name A.C. McCartney (ACM). Months later, Al’s wife gave birth to a second son, Woody McCartney.
  • Bob Mazer, Mazergroup By Kim Schmidt, Executive Editor
    • When Eddy Mazer, was 50 years old, he moved his wife and 5 kids from their Saskatchewan farm to Brandon, Man., to become an implement dealer. Bob Mazer was 9 years old at the time. When Mazer turned 18 in 1968, he left school and started farming. But it didn’t last long, as his dad had other plans. One year later, it was time for Mazer to join the business. “So sort of by hook or by crook, there it was,” he says.
  • Raymond P. Koenig, Koenig Equipment By Christine Book
    • Known for his innovative approach to business and his dedication to dealership sustainability and profitability, Raymond P. Koenig was respected by peers as a forward-thinking leader and transformative force in the agricultural equipment industry. Raymond P. Koenig, former President and CEO at Koenig Equipment, passed away at age 78 on Dec. 14, 2024, days after the family was notified of his induction to the 2025 Class of the Farm Equipment Dealer Hall of Fame.
  • Norm & Blaine Bingham, Bingham Equipment By Mike Lessiter, Editor/Publisher
    • Without the generous farmland of other parts of American agriculture, the Arizona market demanded equipment dealers to be early pioneers in consolidation, diversification and centralized operations. The late Norm Bingham and son, Blaine, did all these things before they became common in the industry and added their own style of a respectful, by-design succession planning process that the elder Bingham ushered in while he was still in his 40s.
  • Wayne Hunt, H&R Agri-Power By Kim Schmidt, Executive Editor
    • Wayne Hunt is a man of influence, but you wouldn’t immediately know it based on his humble demeanor. Whether it is building up his team leaders to carry on his legacy or advocating for the ag industry in politics, his reach is far and wide. In fact, the interview for this article was interrupted by a lobbyist Hunt closely advises as it was the first day the Kentucky legislature was back in session. 
  • Roger Bowen, Bowen Implement Co. By Greg Davis, Contributing Writer
    • Wayne Hunt is a man of influence, but you wouldn’t immediately know it based on his humble demeanor. Whether it is building up his team leaders to carry on his legacy or advocating for the ag industry in politics, his reach is far and wide. In fact, the interview for this article was interrupted by a lobbyist Hunt closely advises as it was the first day the Kentucky legislature was back in session. 

Most Read Feature Articles

Dealer Survey Identifies Best — & Worst —Performers Among Equipment OEMs By Kim Schmidt, Executive Editor

  • This article from August discussed the 2025 North American Equipment Dealers Assn.'s (NAEDA) Dealer-Manufacturer Relations Survey results. It shows what dealers value most in their manufacturing partners and expectations. It also highlights who is performing best and who is moving up in the ranks, and also those that are falling behind.

Optimal Sales Force Management in an Ag Equipment Dealership By George Keen, Contributing Writer

  • This article was reprinted with permission from longtime industry consultant George M. Keen of Wise Wolf Consulting. What follows is Chapter 7 of his 250-page book, "Sales Management in an Equipment Dealership". Keen writes, "When you’ve achieved optimal sales activity, ensuring the highest possible quality and strategically allocated resources for optimal coverage and impact, you set the stage for significant positive transformation within your department, your company and your market."

Diversification & Focus: United Ag & Turf Aims to Maximize Performance in Both By Mike Lessiter, Editor/Publisher

  • This March article explains how United Ag & Turf's COO approaches business in one of the most competitive markets — and product segments — in the industry. UAT was formed in 2017 through the merger of Coufal-Prater and Brazos Valley Equipment dealerships.

New Dealer Facilities Optimize Customer Experience & Workforce Strength By Christine Book

  • In what has become a highly-anticipated and popular annual feature, Farm Equipment once again gathered a collection of recent renovations among dealers across the U.S. and Canada. Owners, general managers and shop managers shared their experiences and pain points, while also offering insight into ways the investment into their teams and customers paid off. 

Laser Focus on Diversification, Customer Service By John Dobberstein

  • In this March article, Which is part of Farm Equipment's Boots on the Ground series, Titan Machinery Holdrege is optimistic about a better year after weathering a "perfect storm" of personnel changes, high interest rates and inventory challenges in 2024.
    • The Farm Equipment Boots on the Ground series is brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment.

Most Read News Articles

Deere & Co. Breaks Ground on $13.5 Million Remanufacturing Facility

  • On May 5, Deere & Co. hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on the site of the John Deere Reman Core facility in Stafford, Mo. John Deere Reman remanufactures engines, transmissions, axles, hydraulics, engine components and electronics products to deliver like-new performance at a lower cost, with reduced environmental impact.

JCB Launches All-New High-Tech Fastrac 6000 Series Tractors

  • During a press event at its world headquarters on September 24, JCB launched an all-new series of its Fastrac high-speed tractor to provide farmers and custom operators with a feature-laden, highly-productive power unit suited to a multitude of field and transport tasks. The new models will be available to North American customers in Q2 2026.

Remembering a Legend — Bob Mazer

Groundbreaking for 2 Western Manitoba Dealerships Announced by AgWest

  • Canadian farm equipment dealership AgWest broke ground on 2 new facilities in the western Manitoba region of Canada, according to an August 2025 update.

Eis Implement Announces Acquisition by Riesterer & Schnell

  • Eis Implement, a third-generation, family-owned John Deere dealership serving the Manitowoc area since 1946 and the 2024 Farm Equipment Dealership of the Year, announced was acquired by Riesterer & Schnell, another family-owned John Deere dealership with deep roots in Wisconsin.
FEMA-75-Years-Logo

Farm Equipment Manufacturer's Association (FEMA) Celebrates 75th Anniversary

The Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association serves as a resource and advocate for the shortline farm equipment industry. FEMA collaborated with Farm Equipment to commemorate their 75-year history! Farm Equipment and Lessiter Media Staff worked diligently to present FEMA's 75th Anniversary book at FEMA's 2025 Fall Convention. Take a glimpse into their history below.

Most Popular Webinars

2025 Executive Briefing Mid-Year Review

  • As a follow-up to Ag Equipment Intelligence’s 2025 Executive Briefing event held this past December, we were joined by a panel of industry experts to share their year-to-date successes, pain points and outlook for how the rest of 2025 will play out for their corner of the ag industry.

Tariffs & Taxes: We Got What We Wanted, Now What?

  • Recent shifts in tariff and tax policy have delivered long-awaited wins for equipment dealerships — but what comes next? Pinion shared a timely and insightful webinar that broke down the implications of these changes and can equip your team with the strategies needed to thrive in this evolving fiscal environment.

Real Talk: How to Survive the Next 18 Months and Grow Afterwards

  • According to the experts at DIS, challenging times lie ahead. You need to consider how your dealership is going to weather the storm for the next 18 months and grow afterwards. Now’s the time to take a closer look at your strategies and ensure you’re equipped with the right tools to plug profit leaks and seek out new profit opportunities

Absorption or Bust: Why Dealers Who Ignore Rental Are Bleeding Margin

  • Farm Equipment welcomes Modern for this exclusive dealer roundtable, where they pulled back the curtain on how the most profitable farm and heavy equipment dealers are using rental as a strategic profit engine, one that boosts absorption, feeds the sales pipeline, and creates recurring revenue all year long.

Control the Controllable: Turning Service Bottlenecks Into Profit Power Plays 

  • Let’s face it: the ag market is volatile, and so are the expectations of your customers. You can’t control commodity prices, parts availability, or the weather — but you can control what happens inside your dealership. Dealerships that win are the ones who stop making excuses and start optimizing their service departments. Modern walked ag leadership dealers through the biggest service bottlenecks.

Most Viewed Videos

Bob Mazer Reflects on Building the Modern Mazergroup

  • President and CEO, the late Bob Mazer, recalls the beginnings of Mazergroup, the 2025 Dealership of the Year. Founded in 1959, Mazergroup grew to great success which Bob attributes to their work culture which he refers to as the Mazergroup Way which places customer service above all else. Hear how Mazergroup goes out of their way to create a successful management team and expands their holdings while also doing whatever it takes to keep the farmer up and running in the field.

Horsch Shares Vision, Unveils Equipment at Grand Opening of New Minnesota Facility

  • Dealers, farmers and Horsch team members from across the globe gathered in Cottage Grove, Minn., June 18, for the grand opening of the company’s new AgTec building, dubbed “the new heart of Horsch in North America.”

Inside Kinze’s Company Store, Blue Equipment

  • Farm Equipment editors visited Blue Equipment, Kinze Manufacturing’s new full-service store located on its vast manufacturing campus in Williamsburg, Iowa. Dealership Sales Manager Justin Render provides an overview and tour of the new showroom and modern repair shop for Kinze equipment sold, traded and repaired in Southeast Iowa. The store, which originated after a local dealer’s retirement, also sells Ag Leader, Martin-Till, Lundell Plastics and Yetter.

Planter Technology Upgrades from SurePoint Ag Systems

  • Product and Marketing Manager Matt Walters with SurePoint Ag Systems highlights the newest technology upgrades for planters. These include the new MVX Electric Seed meter, which provides seed singulation performance and is paired with RFX for row unit hydraulic downforce and many more.

A Close Look at the G4 Stalk Stompers from May Wes Manufacturing

  • May Wes Manufacturing's Sales Manager and Product Solutions Eric Bates discusses the award winning G4 Stalk Stompers from inside the production facility. Bates explains the Stalk Stompers origin as a finely created resin before being heated and pressed into a G4 compression molded shoe. The highly durable Stalk Stompers boasts incredible versatility, being mounted on corn heads, tractors, irrigation systems or even ATVs, where they act to protect the tire from any potential damage from leftover corn stalks.

Top On The Record Newscasts

These episodes of On the Record were brought to you by Associated Equipment Distributors.

John Deere Dealer in Legal Battle with Former Exec

  • In this episode of On the Record, 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.

Dealer Sues Monarch Tractor for ‘Breach of Contract’

  • Take a look at a recent lawsuit between Case IH dealer Burks Tractor and Monarch Tractor. In the Technology Corner, Noah Newman catches up with the precision crew at John Deere dealer Riesterer & Schnell for an inside look at their most popular product in 2025. Also in this episode, highlights from the dealer panel discussion held during the Farm Equipment Manufacturer’s Assn.’s Fall Convention in Las Vegas and a look at how dealers’ forecast for 2025 compare to what they are currently reporting.

Deere Responds to FTC Suit Over ‘Unlawful’ Business Practices

  • We look at the lawsuit the Federal Trade Commission filed against Deere & Co. over its repair business. In the Technology Corner, Noah Newman shares a glimpse of what customers are looking for from their dealers. Also in this episode, used combine inventories were up in December but were down year-over-year and ag equipment same-store sales were down in December as well.

Ag Industry Responds to Trump’s Emissions Comments & Interest Rate Cut

  • In this episode of On the Record, we look at how removing emissions controls from farm equipment could impact the market — from cost of equipment to what it means for the used market. In the Technology Corner, Noah Newman has a report from AGRITECHNICA on AEF’s newest launch. Also in this episode, a discussion on how the latest interest rate cut will impact ag, including perspective from lenders, manufacturers and farmers.

Steel & Aluminum Tariffs Pressure Ag Equipment Market

  • In this episode of On the Record, we take a look at how the additional 407 tariff lines to the steel/aluminum tariff list will mean for manufacturers and dealers. In the Technology Corner, Noah Newman visits with Agri Spray Drones during the Farm Progress Show. Also in this episode, the impact of tariffs on Brazilian ag equipment exports and used equipment prices trend downward.

Boots on the Ground 2025

The Farm Equipment Boots on the Ground series is brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment.

Farm Equipment's “Boots on the Ground” series gathers insights and best practices from a highly-successful dealership — Titan Machinery’s store in Holdrege, Neb.— and brings them to our dealer audience in focused, seasonal print and digital articles that cover the company’s successes and challenges throughout 2025.


2025 Dealership of the Year

The 18-part 2025 Farm Equipment Dealership of the Year video series featuring Mazergroup and Lowe & Young is sponsored by the  2026 AED Summit. Mazergroup was selected as the More than $100 Million Dealership Winner while Lowe & Young was selected as the Less than $100 Million Dealership Winner.

Popular Facebook Posts

These 5 Facebook posts were the top performing posts by Farm Equipment in 2025. With our traveling in 2025, "I've Been Everywhere" by Johnny Cash was stuck in our heads!