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[Podcast] Preview of the Inaugural Ag Equipment Intelligence Executive Summit

In this episode of On the Record, brought to you by Associated Equipment Distributors, Art’s Way Mfg. benefited from increased demand for its ag segment products, reporting Q1 sales up 27.3%.
By Mike Lessiter and Kim Schmidt posted on April 23, 2026 | Posted in Data & Forecasts
Lessiter Media CEO and longtime Farm Equipment editor Mike Lessiter shares a preview of the inaugural, invitation-only Ag Equipment Intelligence Executive Summit that will be held just outside of Chicago-O’Hare airport on May 19-20, 2026.
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2026 Farm Equipment Dealer Hall of Fame Inductee: Ron Birkey

Retired President/CEO & Chairman, Birkey’s Farm Store
Headquarters: Champaign, lll.
Locations: 19 locations across Illinois (17), Indiana (1) and Missouri (1)
Primary Lines: Case IH, Kubota, Bush Hog, H&S, Kinze, Kuhn, Great Plains, MacDon, Unverferth, Woods, Geringhoff, Kawasaki, Salford, Bestway, Brandt, Cub Cadet, Exmark, E-Z Trail, Grasshopper, J&M, McFarlane, Remlinger, Stihl, Strobel, Thunder Creek, Wacker Neuson, Westendorf, Westfield
By Mike Lessiter posted on February 5, 2026 | Posted in Best Practices, Manufacturer & Dealer Issues, Dealer News
As is often said, the legacy of a leader cannot be measured until long after the retirement party and presentation of the gold watch. More specifically, the leader is valued on how the principles and core tenets translate over and into the preparedness of the next generation for the enterprise’s continuity. Such is the case for Ron Birkey.
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A&I Products

Since 1980, A&I Products has become a leading manufacturer and wholesale distributor of aftermarket replacement parts for the agricultural, turf, and industrial equipment markets. A&I Products' experience and expertise has greatly contributed to the company's reputation as a top supplier of quality, reasonably priced parts. Founded with roots as a small machine shop and repair facility, the company made the transition by manufacturing new parts to replace those that were identified as commonly needing repair. Throughout the 1980s, the company quickly garnered a reputation for offering quality parts at a reasonable price.

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Yetter Farm Equipment

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.
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Machinery Scope

At Machinery Scope, we believe you deserve the best risk management solutions for your investments in heavy equipment. Since 2013, we have been proud to offer extended warranty, appraisals, and inspections. Machinery Scope is a family-owned business built on our experience in farming and equipment dealerships. We understand your business and provide a personalized and professional level of customer service. Machinery Scope has built a strong warranty product with our customers in mind, offering the same professional level of service from the time you get a quote, through the processing of a claim.
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