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Articles by Kim Schmidt

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How Dealers Deal with Ag's Business Cycles

By Dave Kanicki and Kim Schmidt posted on June 9, 2013 | Posted in Manufacturer News
With the exception of 2009 — a year that, in retrospect, wasn’t all that bad for sales of farm machinery — dealers have experienced 5 remarkable years of consistently strong unit sales. This has surprised many dealers, even the most optimistic ones. A Colorado dealer told Farm Equipment recently, “I’ve lived through two bad cycles (in the 1980s and ‘90s) so I’m really enjoying this one.”
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Sales Training Starts From the Top

Regular communication between the sales manager and the sales team will help in identifying training needs and tracking their progress.
By Kim Schmidt posted on April 8, 2013 | Posted in Department Management
It's a common complaint heard from dealers across North America, "I can't find good techs." However, finding the right sales team can be just as challenging, and is just as important. Keep in mind, the quality of the sales team starts with the quality of the sales management. The better the management, the better the sales team.
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Creating Worthwhile Dealer Events: Combine Clinics

By Kim Schmidt posted on April 8, 2013 | Posted in Dealers on the Move
Keeping farm customers productive and efficient is the goal of every farm equipment dealer. This is particularly true during harvest time. Unfortunately, not all customers are looking far ahead when it comes to getting their equipment ready. A lot of times this is particularly true when it comes to combines. But, you can help them prepare by hosting a combine clinic focused on maintenance and harvest preparation.
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How to Sell: Efficiency in the Field Fuels Quick ROI

Installing drainage tile is proven to improve crop yields, and by doing it themselves farmers will see a convincing ROI.
By Kim Schmidt posted on March 13, 2013 | Posted in Niche Equipment Markets
As land prices continue to rise, there's a growing need for producers to squeeze as much from their acreage as possible. Between growing commodity prices and land values, increasing yield is more important than ever. In order to improve yield without adding acreage, proper drainage is key. And more producers are starting to tackle the task of laying drainage tile themselves.
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Reynolds Farm Equipment Spreads Christmas Cheer and Earns Good Will

By Kim Schmidt posted on November 12, 2012 | Posted in Data & Forecasts
For the last 20 years Reynolds Farm Equipment Inc. in Fishers, Ind., has been spreading holiday spirit to the surrounding community with a spectacular holiday light show. The Christmas light display has become a well-known tradition throughout the area and beyond. Michael Lawson of Reynolds Farm Equipment says members of the family have run into people in places as far away as Hawaii who have seen or heard about the annual light display.
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Planning a Dealer Auction

By Kim Schmidt posted on October 5, 2012 | Posted in Dealers on the Move
Moving used equipment and keeping inventory fresh is vital to the financial success of any dealership. However, it's no secret that doing so can be easier said than done. For Johnson Tractor the solution is a dealer-run auction at its Juda, Wis., location.
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Read Bros. Ambulance to the Rescue

By Kim Schmidt posted on July 6, 2012 | Posted in Dealers on the Move
The Case IH dealership is impressive to say the least, but the biggest surprise can be found on the shop floor or driving somewhere in the Read Bros. 60-mile service area a 1995 4700 Navistar ambulance that has been redesigned and outfitted as a service truck for the dealership.
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Analysts Comment on CNHI CEO's Departure

Analysts Comment on CNHI CEO's Departure

In this episode of On the Record, brought to you by Weasler Engineering, we look at some analyst comments on Scott Wine's departure from CNH Industrial. In the Technology Corner, Noah Newman talks to Pessl Instruments' CEO about the recent investment it received from Lindsay Corp. Also in this episode, dealers and farmers chime in on brand loyalty, air seeder sales forecasts and layoffs at the Racine, Wis., Case IH plant.
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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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Montag is the industry’s innovative leader for precise, accurate metering of fertilizer, seed and other nutrients. The Montag system has become the standard for deep banding of fertilizer. Montag is also pioneering the technology for cover crop seed application. The new Cover Crop+ is able to meter the smallest seed, and can be mounted to tillage implements, combines, plus Hagie sprayers and detasselers.

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Finance Scope

Finance Scope is able to provide the best financing opportunities for equipment dealers and customers through a diverse mix of lending companies under one single platform. Our large group of lenders, allows for competitive rates regardless of credit scores. Additionally, dealers and customers have access to the industry’s best expertise surrounding finance and lease structures, for all purposes, within the agricultural and construction industries. We provide all of this into one online platform to provide our customers with the best available tailored finance solution for their equipment.
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