A trade war could absolutely have a negative effect on U.S. producers’ income in the future, but are there other circumstances to consider?

“There is a great need for shortlines. The key from a dealer’s perspective is to find a hot product, sell the hell out of it and then know when to stop ordering.”

The ag economy is fragile at best! Interest is creeping up, commodities prices are soft, and the ability to make profit is a struggle day-in-day-out.

Most business owners — and more specifically farm equipment dealers — would likely tell you that customer service and experience are important to the overall success of the business. I’d venture to say every dealer I’ve spoken with has prided themselves on the quality of service they provide the customer.

Tipping points sometimes occur long before their true impact can be totaled, and the recent introduction of MTZ’s new-to-North America diesel-electric farm tractor could rank in that category — especially since the competitively-priced machine will be available for sale in the last quarter of 2018.

This headline is based on a sign posted at my gym that made me think about your business, and my challenge to “Make 2018 the Year of Human Capital Development.” I started to think about the small things that you can do with your people to develop them and your dealership. Doing small things that lead to big things is a useful perspective for you to create change with your employees and colleagues. It provides an approach for you to do every day in order to create big improvements.

Last month, in preparation for a special report in June (stay tuned for one of our most fascinating projects ever), I sat a “green farmer” with a “red dealer” who’d not yet consummated a big-ticket deal. Here are 4 things a farmer wants a rival brand dealer to know about gaining his business.

In high performing dealerships, every team member — from the general managers to the sales reps, finance personnel, service technicians and marketing experts — will be found in front of customers each and every day, interacting with them, engaging with them, and building lasting relationships to secure a prosperous future for their business. They are the very lifeline that ties the organization’s success to the customer.

Last week I had the pleasure and honor of joining the Equipment Dealers Assn. and many of you out in Washington, D.C. for the AED/EDA Fly-In. And despite the federal government being shutdown due to a light snow storm, it was a busy and productive 3 days in the capital. After spending Wednesday being briefed on some of topics we’d be lobbying in support of, we took to the Hill on Thursday, meeting with congressmen.

Our expert Casey Seymour answers a reader's question about on valuing equipment for spring auctions in this latest installment of the "Ask the Expert: Remarketing Used Equipment" series.