We’ve been hearing for some time that in lieu of buying new big ag equipment, many farmers have turned to leasing equipment. But if leasing has become a trend, it’s been difficult to verify, but there seems to be plenty of anecdotal information floating around out there.

While last month’s column focused on some of the ups and downs that afflicted the agricultural equipment industry over the past 40 years, this column will take a look at what one can expect over the next several years. But first, it should be apparent after reading the previous column, that one of the primary drivers for the demise of manufacturers during the aforementioned time period was their feckless hiring of top management that were either devoid of pertinent and relevant experience, or their background was from the financial side of the business. Concerning the latter, when that is the case, management will generally save themselves into bankruptcy rather than marketing themselves into prosperity.

While last month’s column focused on some of the ups and downs that afflicted the agricultural equipment industry over the past 40 years, this column will take a look at what one can expect over the next several years. But first, it should be apparent after reading the previous column, that one of the primary drivers for the demise of manufacturers during the aforementioned time period was their feckless hiring of top management that were either devoid of pertinent and relevant experience, or their background was from the financial side of the business. Concerning the latter, when that is the case, management will generally save themselves into bankruptcy rather than marketing themselves into prosperity.

In 1975, a farmer from southern Iowa stopped by my shop and commented that somebody should figure out how to fold a big planter horizontally to make it easy to move from field to field. At that time, twelve-row planters were being introduced, but they folded upward, which resulted in seed and insecticide being spilled from their hoppers.

Bret Lieberman, vice president of North America for New Holland, talks about his plan to develop a community among New Holland ag dealers including a Dealer Council.

At the 2015 Farm Progress Show, we caught up with Jeff Lentz, remarketing manager with Claas of America, to talk about what manufacturers are doing to help manage used combine inventories.