While slightly stronger auction prices have been seen on the used combine front, not so with of other equipment, including large used planters, self-propelled sprayers and 250-300-plus horsepower tractors.

We’ve been hearing for some time that in lieu of buying new big ag equipment, many farmers have turned to leasing equipment. But if leasing has become a trend, it’s been difficult to verify, but there seems to be plenty of anecdotal information floating around out there.

MSI Data is currently running a multi-part video series called "Field Force Minute." In this short video from the series, Joanna Rotter with MSI talks about increasing your potential in service by investing in the right tools to do it well.

We’ve noticed a theme in the past few years in our work with successful equipment dealership leaders.

Recent research by the Conservation Tillage Information Center shows American farmers are beginning to use cover crops in their rotations to conserve moisture, boost yields of subsequent cash crops, fight erosion and add organic matter to their farm fields. With estimates predicting 20 million acres of U.S. cropland to be seeded to cover crops by 2020, the trend amounts to a significant new agronomic enterprise in many areas, even if cover crops are not considered a cash crop.

While last month’s column focused on some of the ups and downs that afflicted the agricultural equipment industry over the past 40 years, this column will take a look at what one can expect over the next several years. But first, it should be apparent after reading the previous column, that one of the primary drivers for the demise of manufacturers during the aforementioned time period was their feckless hiring of top management that were either devoid of pertinent and relevant experience, or their background was from the financial side of the business. Concerning the latter, when that is the case, management will generally save themselves into bankruptcy rather than marketing themselves into prosperity.

Is there room for more competition in the North American market?

Recent telephone calls with dealers and their written comments that have accompanied the various surveys we conduct between Farm Equipment and Ag Equipment Intelligence, are really quite revealing. Despite the current situation of excess used inventory and farmers slowing the spending on new equipment, dealers say they’re getting pushed to order more new product than they can sell — profitably.