While compiling the report for the July issue of Ag Equipment Intelligence on the merger that will result in a new company to be called CNH Industrial, George Russell, who provided analysis for the story, sent along some excerpts from a book that he felt would give some context to the article.

Patz Corp. recently introduced its largest twin screw trailer mixer in the Patz Vertical Mixer Series: 1,100 cubic feet (31.1 cubic meters) 2400 Series II Trailer Twin Screw Vertical Mixer. The addition of optional steel/rubber side extensions boosts its capacity to 1,270 cubic feet (36 cubic meters).

Everyone wants to know their employer's vacation policies and rules for paid time off (PTO).

Farm Equipment recently upgraded its Product Information Request System to make it easier for readers to get the information they need.

Farm Equipment magazine announces formation of its first-ever editorial advisory board.

For the 36th year, farmers, farm equipment dealers and agribusiness professionals converged in Regina, Saskatchewan for Canada's Farm Progress Show. With 1.9 million square feet of indoor and outdoor exhibits and more than 45,000 attendees from 50 countries, it's the country's largest trade show. Regina is nestled in the central western part of Canada. This is dry-land farming that extends down into the U.S. Great Plains. The farms in these regions are big and the equipment matches in scope. This was reflected in much of the equipment on display at this year's show, which could be characterized as big and getting bigger.

What methods have you found work best for incentivizing salespeople to ensure that trade-in units are sold on a timely basis? Which programs do not work well? Why?

CRM means Customer Relationship Management. The short answer to why you should care is that your future success may depend on if and how you implement CRM. Retail, your business, the business of selling and serving end users, is very competitive. Long term success often depends on doing a lot of little things right. Selling and servicing farm equipment is no different than any other industry where CRM is now a standard practice. But our industry is just starting to learn about its benefits of and to use CRM successfully.

Rather than waiting for a potential customer to get a flat tire in front of the dealership or chasing low margin roll-over customers to amp up the dealership's volume bonus, dealers and sales managers, together with their salesforce, would be far better served developing meaningful and lasting relationships with the overwhelming number of customers that are seeking such a partnership.