A second-generation ag journalist, Mike Lessiter has been Editor/Publisher of Farm Equipment since 2004. He has covered business-to-business operations, manufacturing and marketing topics since 1992. He has also served in several capacities with the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Assn., Assn. of Equipment Manufacturers and is a frequent industry speaker. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin, he was named president of Lessiter Publications Inc. in 2007.

Contact: mlessiter@lessitermedia.com

To the Point: What 2020 Has to Teach ...

By Mike Lessiter posted on May 4, 2020 | Posted in Best Practices, Dealer Succession

The only thing that sounds as crazy as offering someone a congratulations in advance of persevering through an ongoing economic crisis is the idea of accepting it. But if you don’t (or attempt to avoid it altogether), you’ll miss what a hardship promises to teach — as well as tomorrow’s reward for having endured it.

Dealer Day in the Life Series

Today's Recap: Ty Rankin, GM at Lone Star Ag, Friona and Dalhart, Texas

By Mike Lessiter posted on April 21, 2020

Ty Rankin is the GM at Lone Star Ag (previously known as Parmer County Implement), a 2-store operation carrying Kubota, Claas, MacDon, JCB and Oxbo. Lone Star Ag is specialized in its product offering and doesn’t deal with planters and sprayers like dealers in other parts of the country. Its business is very much harvest related. “All of our equipment, with the exception of Kubota, focuses on silage.”

Today’s Recap: Craig Murray, Senior Director of Aftermarket, Heritage Tractor, Baldwin, Kan.

By Mike Lessiter posted on April 3, 2020 | Posted in Best Practices, Dept. Management, Dealership Marketing

Heritage Tractor was among the first John Deere dealerships in the country to invest in Sedona Technologies’ online customer portal in January 2018, in what became the dealership’s “Virtual Parts Counter.”

Today’s Recap: Farm Equipment Distributor Bob Doran of Doran Distribution

By Mike Lessiter posted on April 3, 2020 | Posted in Best Practices, Mfr. & Dealer Issues

Farm Equipment caught up with Bob Doran, owner of Doran Distribution Services, Mount Horeb, Wis. today to gain a perspective of recent events in farm equipment — from the distributor’s seat.

Kunau Implement’s Expansion Plans Bring Excitement, Focus Amidst Disruptive Times

By Mike Lessiter posted on April 2, 2020 | Posted in Best Practices, Facilities

After the expansion of the Preston, Iowa, facility in 2014, Kunau was convinced of all the positive things that such an investment brought to equation. He has pulled the trigger on Dewitt and has bids out to contractors this week.

Dealer Day in the Life Series

Leo Johnson, Johnson Tractor Journal: March 30, 2020

By Mike Lessiter posted on March 31, 2020 | Posted in Best Practices, Operations & Finance

In these strange times we’re in these days with the Coronavirus, Farm Equipment asked 4-Store Dealer Principal Leo Johnson, Johnson Tractor (Dealership of the Year Alum), to keep a 1-day journal on Monday, March 30.

Schmeiser: Response from Washington & Ottawa To Mitigate Dealership Layoffs

By Mike Lessiter posted on March 27, 2020 | Posted in Best Practices, Mfr. & Dealer Issues

While their Western Equipment Dealer Assn. (WEDA) offices in Kansas City and Calgary are closed, call volume from dealer members to association staff is 3 times higher than normal this week, says John Schmeiser CEO.

Case IH Dealer Leo Johnson Verbalizes Industry Observations on Coronavirus Pandemic, 3-20-20

By Mike Lessiter posted on March 20, 2020 | Posted in Best Practices, Operations & Finance

In Leo Johnson’s 42 years as a dealer, he says the only thing he can remember that came close to the current uncertainty was following Black Monday in 1987.

To the Point: 2020 Challenges Require Steadfast Commitment

By Mike Lessiter posted on March 16, 2020 | Posted in Best Practices

There are things within our control in this business (effort, commitment and focus to name a few), and many things that are not. If we’ve needed any reminders, we’ve found them recently: trade wars, Covid-19 pandemic, and falling stock and commodity prices, including two trade halts. And then there’s the familiar yet always unpredictable face of Mother Nature.

Sage Wisdom from A Dealership Lifer

Ross Morgan, manager of special projects for H&R Agri-Power, shares how his nearly 60 years in the farm equipment dealership business have helped shape the Case IH dealership group’s success as it’s expanded.

By Mike Lessiter posted on March 6, 2020 | Posted in Best Practices

Ross Morgan, a farm equipment dealership lifer, is a face you’ll still see at many industry events, including dealer association meetings and the Dealership Minds Summits.

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

Yetter Mfg Co

Built on 90 years of expertise, Yetter Farm Equipment leads the agriculture industry in designing effective and innovative equipment for residue management, seedbed preparation, precision fertilizer placement, harvest attachments, strip-tillage, and more.

Montag Mfg

At Montag Mfg., we specialize in fertilizer equipment. Our complete fertilizer application system will help you start reaping the benefits of deep band fertilizer.

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.

Mike Lessiter

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