Dave Kanicki is Editor & Publisher of Ag Equipment Intelligence (AEI) and its related research, reports and broadcast channels. He joined Lessiter Publications in 2005 after decades of experience as an Editor & Publisher of metals manufacturing titles. His Farm Equipment and AEI work has been nationally recognized by both trade business and business press associations. He is a graduate of Central Michigan University.

Contact: dkanicki@lessitermedia.com

Old Equipment & New Technology

By Dave Kanicki posted on June 15, 2020 | Posted in Used Equipment Remarketing

It wasn’t that long ago when we were talking about U.S. farm equipment being younger than it had been in decades. With the ag boom of 2010-14, farm tractors were literally flying off the shelves. North American sales of high horsepower equipment peaked at a little over 50,000 units in 2013.

Special Report

Is Farmers’ Traditional Loyalty to Ag Equipment Colors Fading?

The loyalty that farmers hold for their preferred brand of ag equipment took a sharp turn downward in 2020. Is this a reflection of how they feel today about the equipment itself or are their changing attitudes based on the general malaise in the ag industry?

By Dave Kanicki posted on June 1, 2020 | Posted in Mfr. & Dealer Issues

Since the editors of Farm Equipment and Ag Equipment Intelligence launched the first brand loyalty study of farm machinery in late 2010 and followed it up with subsequent studies in 2014 and 2017, the allegiance and positive perception that farmers held for “their brand” continually grew.

Quantifying Brand Loyalty

By Dave Kanicki posted on May 8, 2020

We know from experience that farmers can be resolute in their steadfast dedication to certain equipment colors. When we initiated our first Ag Equipment Brand Loyalty study in 2010, we wanted to find out if what we were hearing from dealers and others about farmer brand loyalty was true. So, we surveyed a couple of thousand Midwestern farmers to gauge their feelings about brand loyalty. Are they or aren’t they?

Are You Planning for the ‘Next’ Normal?

By Dave Kanicki posted on April 7, 2020 | Posted in Best Practices, Data & Forecasts

“For some organizations, near term survival is the only agenda item. Others are peering through the fog of uncertainty, thinking about how to position themselves once the crisis has passed and things return to normal. The question is, ‘What will normal look like?’ While no one can say how long the crisis will last, what we find on the other side will not look like the normal of recent years.”

What About Capital Expenditures?

By Dave Kanicki posted on March 2, 2020

So, we’ve heard a lot from USDA about commodity prices and projected planted acres for 2020, but little or nothing about capital expenditure expectations. It exists but doesn’t capture much attention from much of the ag industry. I suppose this is because most farm spending is dependent on commodity prices.

Leasing, Automation & Brand Loyalty

By Dave Kanicki posted on January 28, 2020

“With all of the automation coming … and the cost of repairs and parts … along with cost of new machinery, it’s getting ridiculous,” said Robert Blair during the Ag Equipment Intelligence Executive Briefing virtual event held last month. The Idaho grower added, “The cost of parts is really starting to drive some of my decisions, as well.”

Another Decade Down: More of the Same Ahead?

By Dave Kanicki posted on December 23, 2019 | Posted in Data & Forecasts

It’s just about a wrap on the second decade of the 2000s and from my perspective things are looking a “little” better than they have in a while in some respects, but not so much in others. For the most part, the first half of the last decade is very different from the second half. But it’s simply a matter of ag cycles and plateaus, according to some.

Everybody’s Looking for Some ‘Real’ Good News

By Dave Kanicki posted on November 19, 2019

Most of the dealers and others I’ve spoken with or heard from in the past couple of months seem to agree — 2019 was a weird year. It was hard to get a fix on what was going on and very little was “typical.” There are more variables than usual, I think.

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2020 Dealer Business Outlook & Trends Summary

Dealer Optimism in Short Supply for 2020

Poor planting conditions in major ag regions combined with ongoing trade disputes are contributing to more uncertainty than usual for North American farm equipment dealers.

By Dave Kanicki posted on October 22, 2019 | Posted in Data & Forecasts

In the past year, the Ag Equipment Intelligence “Dealer Optimism Index,” which measures sentiment among dealers compared to the prior month, has yet to move into positive territory. The index is based on a monthly survey of North American farm equipment dealers that asks if they are more or less optimistic about their business prospects or feel about the same as they did in the previous survey.

Trade Issues Cloud Dealers’ View of 2020

By Dave Kanicki posted on October 21, 2019

The 2020 Dealer Business Outlook & Trends report has just been released to Ag Equipment Intelligence subscribers. There’s little doubt that current trade issues have added to agriculture’s usual uncertainties (weather, commodity prices, etc.) and everyone is guessing about the potential outcome.

Farm Equipment Videos

Neil Dahlstrom's Journey as John Deere Historian

In this short video clip, Manager of History & Corporate Archives Neil Dahlstrom shares his personal path into the unique role that he serves in helping to preserve the history of John Deere, and assisting others in putting it into context.

Events

Equipment Manufacturers Teams with National Agri-Marketing Association to help Small Companies Survive and Thrive

Date: 08/10/20

Location: Kansas City, MO

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) are coming together during NAMA’s 2020 Agri-Marketing Conference with a pre-conference workshop with content targeted specifically for these types of organizations.

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Top Directory Listings

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Montag Mfg

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Machinery Scope

Machinery Scope offers premier risk management tools for farm equipment. We provide timely, personalized, and flexible solutions to protect more farm equipment investments than anyone in the industry. We add value and peace of mind when you are buying, selling, or managing your farm equipment by offering extended warranty plans.

Dave Kanicki

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