Precision Farming Dealer is proud to sponsor its first-annual 'Award of Excellence' program to recognize North America's premier precision farming dealer. Dealers, manufacturers and others are invited to participate by nominating top precision farming dealers from across North America. There is no limit to the number of nominations that an individual can submit. We will not reveal to the dealers who nominated them for this award.

As precision farming continues to evolve beyond the hardware, and more toward data collection and analysis, there is increased focus on protecting that information. At it's 2014 product launch event in Columbus, Ohio, on August 21-22, John Deere introduced Wireless Data Transfer, a subscription-based system that allows farmers to send data remotely from their tractor or combine cab, to their home office.

Like many farm equipment dealerships, Peabudy's Inc. in Sterling, Ill., built its precision farming business through sales of auto-steer and GPS systems. Eight years ago, the New Holland dealership saw a need for improved steering accuracy in their service area, especially for customers farming specialty crops, like seed corn.

Regardless of where you are in the world, the main focus of all farmers is to increase their yield and get more out of every acre or hectare. What's different is how that goal is accomplished in different areas of the world. There are a number of global planter and seeder technology trends dealers should keep an eye on that will make their way to North America. Looking ahead, technological advancements in planting equipment will come from marrying the needs and developments abroad with those of North America. The combination of Western European speed and North American accuracy would result in highly efficient and precise seeding and planting equipment.