“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.”

1960 saw changes in farm tractors in styling, increased horsepower and operator comfort that were intended to entice farmers to purchase their next new tractor. Even with all of these modern improvements, those tractors remained essentially a frame with an engine and transmission covered with a sleek sheet metal exterior.

In my last 3 articles, I laid out the expectations for a used equipment remarketing manager: check your emotions at the door, find data and their subsequent level of importance, and understand your area of responsibility.

Recent research from Italy shows adding a flaming process to roller/crimper termination in standing cover crops can improve plant desiccation and green matter control over mechanical means alone.

How your entire dealership hears and serves the customer is at the core of the 4th spoke of the flywheel. Dealerships that are built with balance and whose people are trusted to deliver and serve consistently will retain those customers and attract more new customers.

A shockwave moved through the farm equipment dealer community when it was reported that RDO Vice President of Sales — Agriculture Mark Kreps and Vice President of Midwest Agriculture Steve Connelly were killed in a car crash in South Dakota. The two were leaders in the dealership industry by every known definition, and Farm Equipment staff had the privilege of getting to know them through the Dealership of the Year program.

Having watched the Jetsons as a kid, I was sure by now I would have a flying car and a robot who did all my housework. I’m still waiting on my flying car, but with Roombas and iMow, we do have the robots to do some of our household chores (but without the sassiness of Rosie).

Recent quarterly earnings reports for the major farm machinery manufacturers were described as either “better than expected” or “could have been worse,” according to several industry analysts. This is to say, at least, AGCO and Deere exceeded analysts’ expectations. (CNH Industrial didn’t.)

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.)