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: Rounding the Corner to 2021

By Mike Lessiter posted on October 6, 2020 | Posted in Manufacturer & Dealer Issues

Just within the last few weeks, there’s been plenty to keep one’s attention, both in and outside of the farm economy. For a while up until the first debate, even the presidential election seemed to be fighting for attention. Here’s just a few things we’ve been watching as we put together the final edition of 2020.

To the Point: Are We Commoditizing Ourselves?

By Mike Lessiter posted on September 21, 2020

“They’ll know more about the products than I can anyway,” he said. Yet without opportunity to contribute to decisions, it also increases the likelihood that your transaction will become “commoditized.”

Quick Pivots, No Wasted Crisis & ‘Iron Sharpening Iron’

By Mike Lessiter posted on August 17, 2020

Instead of calling Omaha home for the first week of August this year, the COVID-19 pandemic grounded us for our 2 national conferences we hold each year (Dealership Minds Summit for machinery dealers and the National Strip-Tillage Conference for growers.)

AgriVision’s Rapid Success in the Forage Harvester Business

By Mike Lessiter posted on July 11, 2020

AgriVision became a John Deere forage harvester dealer in January 2018 after buying 5 stores in Northern Iowa. The dealership went from no forage harvester contract to being a top 3 dealer within 12 months.

To the Point: Your 2020 Dealer of the Year ...

By Mike Lessiter posted on July 10, 2020

It was 15 years ago this summer that Farm Equipment’s Dealership of the Year (DOY) edition made its debut. Revisiting the collection of articles on these Alumni Group Members over this period provides an interesting timestamping of growth in the size of leading dealer operations.

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, Department 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, Manufacturer & 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.

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