Farm Equipment's new “Boots on the Ground” series gathers insights and best practices from a highly-successful dealership — 2-store Deere operation Ballweg Implement — and brings them to our dealer audience in focused, seasonal print and digital articles that cover the company’s successes and challenges throughout 2026, from all departments (sales, parts, service and precision). The Farm Equipment Boots on the Ground series is brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment. Yetter Farm Equipment has been providing farmers with solutions since 1930. Today, Yetter is your answer for finding the tools and equipment you need to face today’s production agriculture demands. The Yetter lineup includes a wide range of planter attachments for different planting conditions, several equipment options for fertilizer placement, and products that meet harvest-time challenges. Yetter delivers a return on investment and equipment that meets your needs and maximizes inputs. Visit them at yetterco.com. https://www.farm-equipment.com/rss en-us kschmidt@lessitermedia.com Ballweg Implement has started implementing AI throughout the business. Co-owner Tom Ballweg says AI has proved to be key in helping search information that would have previously been very time consuming. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25741 Tue, 06 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25741-video-putting-ai-to-work-in-the-dealership Putting-AI-to-Work-in-the-Dealership.png kschmidt@lessitermedia.com Owner Tom Ballweg discusses how the Wisconsin John Deere dealership prepares the business for the busyness of harvest season, from bulking up on parts, to updating its store hours, resetting the showroom with fast moving parts and working on promotions to share via social media for parts. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25740 Tue, 06 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25740-video-preparing-for-harvest-at-ballweg-implement Preparing-for-Harvest-at-Ballweg-Implement.png kschmidt@lessitermedia.com Tom Ballweg, co-owner of Ballweg Implement, watches the business and ag economy closely. He says the dealership has started to see an increase in customers coming in looking to buy equipment. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25739 Tue, 06 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25739-video-is-the-equipment-market-starting-to-pick-back-up Is-the-Equipment-Market-Starting-to-Pick-Back-Up-.png kschmidt@lessitermedia.com Tom Ballweg, co-owner of Ballweg Implement, says they are seeing used equipment prices are starting to stabilize and in some cases it’s going up. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25738 Tue, 06 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25738-video-ballweg-implements-used-equipment-outlook Ballweg-Implement’s-Used-Equipment-Outlook.png kschmidt@lessitermedia.com In 2026, Ballweg Implement celebrated 50 years in business. To celebrate, the John Deere dealership pivoted on its biannual Harvest Party to throw an anniversary party instead, says owner Tom Ballweg. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25737 Tue, 06 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25737-video-ballweg-implement-celebrates-50-years-in-business Ballweg-Implement-Celebrates-50-Years-in-Business.png kschmidt@lessitermedia.com As summer winds down, technicians wrap up combine inspections & parts staff juggle ordering challenges from Deere As summer winds down, technicians wrap up combine inspections & parts staff juggle ordering challenges from Deere

]]> http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25735 Tue, 06 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25735-parts-and-service-teams-prepare-for-harvest-at-ballweg-implement BOTG-Ballweb-Part-3-1.jpg Ballweg Implement’s combine inspection program has grown to include 90 inspections this year. It typically gets started as soon as the first customer finished harvest and runs straight through until farmers are heading back into the field the following year. Kim Schmidt kschmidt@lessitermedia.com Ballweg Implement staff works closely with its customers to explain trade-values and used equipment inventory. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25467 Thu, 09 Jul 2026 06:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25467-video-ballweg-implement-works-with-customers-to-explain-used-equipment-market Ballweg-Implement-Works-with-Customers-to-Explain-Used-Equipment-Market.png kschmidt@lessitermedia.com For Ballweg Implement owner Tom Ballweg, respect is a nonnegotiable. That goes for customers as well as employees. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25466 Thu, 09 Jul 2026 06:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25466-video-managing-customer-and-employee-emotions-with-clear-speak Managing-Customer-&-Employee-Emotions-with-Clear-Speak.png kschmidt@lessitermedia.com Ballweg Implement owner Tom Ballweg explains how the wet spring in 2026 contributed to parts sales for the Wisconsin John Deere dealership. He says the longer customers take preparing to go into the field, the more parts they buy because they have time to get their equipment ready to plant. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25465 Thu, 09 Jul 2026 06:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25465-video-wet-spring-boosts-parts-business-for-ballweg-implement Wet-Spring-Boosts-Parts-Business-for-Ballweg-Implement.png kschmidt@lessitermedia.com Ballweg Implement owner Tom Ballweg shares the benefits and challenges he's found with demoing equipments. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25464 Thu, 09 Jul 2026 06:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25464-video-ballweg-implement-finds-success-with-equipment-demos Ballweg-Implement-Finds-Success-with-Equipment-Demos.png kschmidt@lessitermedia.com Sheila Jaeckel, Ballweg Implement precision ag consultant, shares how the John Deere dealership's 2-person precision team balances calls during the busy season. Customers have their direct numbers, and the team has a goal of getting back to any missed calls within an hour. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25463 Thu, 09 Jul 2026 06:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25463-video-ballweg-implements-precision-team-tackles-busy-season Ballweg-Implement's-Precision-Team-Tackles-Busy-Season.png kschmidt@lessitermedia.com Delayed planting in south-central Wisconsin provides time to fully prepare equipment for the field, resulting in a busier parts department for Ballweg Implement. Farm Equipment's Boots on the Ground series is brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment. Delayed planting in south-central Wisconsin provides time to fully prepare equipment for the field, resulting in a busier parts department for Ballweg Implement. Farm Equipment's Boots on the Ground series is brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment.

]]> http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25431 Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25431-wet-spring-brings-improved-parts-sales Boots-on-the-Ground-Tony-Peiricks-farm-Watertown-Wis-1.jpg For this installment of Boots on the Ground, we visited Ballweg Implement owner Tom Ballweg and precision ag consultant Sheila Jaeckel at customer Tony Peirick’s farm in Watertown, Wis. Jeff Lazewski kschmidt@lessitermedia.com Through outreach to the community & a focus on employee engagement, Ballweg Implement has set itself up with a team that looks out for each other & the customers. Farm Equipment's Boots on the Ground series is brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment. Through outreach to the community & a focus on employee engagement, Ballweg Implement has set itself up with a team that looks out for each other & the customers. Farm Equipment's Boots on the Ground series is brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment.

]]> http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25187 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25187-building-a-workforce-that-cares Boots-on-the-Ground-Ballweg_Art.jpg Tom Ballweg, owner of Ballweg Implement, gives students a tour of the Waupun, Wis., John Deere dealership during its 4th annual Gator Wars competition. Kim Schmidt kschmidt@lessitermedia.com Tony Peirick switched from Case IH to John Deere equipment in 2016 due to pricing issues with trades. He says Ballweg Implement, provided excellent service and allowed equipment trials. The farmer purchased six tractors, a corn planter, and used a combine. Farm Equipment's Boots on the Ground series is brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment. Farm Equipment's Boots on the Ground series is brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment.]]> http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25173 Tue, 31 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25173-video-conservation-ag-operator-fellow-makes-the-switch-to-deere-with-ballweg-implement Conservation-Ag-Operator-Fellow-Makes-the-Switch-to-Deere-with-Ballweg-Implement.png kschmidt@lessitermedia.com Sheila Jaeckel from Ballweg Implement's precision ag department prepares customers for spring by cleaning up data and setting up information in operation centers during winter's slower period. This advance preparation ensures quicker setup and less field time when spring arrives. Farm Equipment's Boots on the Ground series is brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment. Farm Equipment's Boots on the Ground series is brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment.]]> http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25172 Tue, 31 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25172-video-ballweg-implement-precision-team-prepares-for-spring Ballweg-Implement-Precision-Team-Prepares-for-Spring.png kschmidt@lessitermedia.com Gator Wars is a hands-on competition for high school students initiated by John Deere at Ballweg Implement, starting in their fourth year. Teams of three to four students complete various activities within 15 minutes, including electrical stations, engine work, and component identification. The program aims to provide learning opportunities and expand students' technical knowledge through teamwork-based judging. Farm Equipment's Boots on the Ground series is brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment. Farm Equipment's Boots on the Ground series is brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment.]]> http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25171 Tue, 31 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25171-video-ballweg-implement-brings-gator-wars-to-wisconsin Ballweg-Implement-Brings-Gator-Wars-to-Wisconsin.png The economic picture at Titan Holdrege is lagging a little behind expectations, but store managers still expect a solid year for equipment sales & service. Farm Equipment's Boots on the Ground series is brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment. The economic picture at Titan Holdrege is lagging a little behind expectations, but store managers still expect a solid year for equipment sales & service. Farm Equipment's Boots on the Ground series is brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment.

]]> http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/24880 Tue, 16 Dec 2025 23:00:00 -0500 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/24880-turning-the-page-on-a-turbulent-2025 Case-IH-Titan-Machinery-BOTG.jpg Source: John Dobberstein jdobberstein@lessitermedia.com The economic picture at Titan Holdrege is lagging a little behind expectations, but store managers still expect a solid year for equipment sales & service. Farm Equipment's Boots on the Ground series is brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment. The economic picture at Titan Holdrege is lagging a little behind expectations, but store managers still expect a solid year for equipment sales & service. Farm Equipment's Boots on the Ground series is brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment.

]]> http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/24541 Wed, 08 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/24541-navigating-rtr-interest-rates-harvest-demands-and-more BOTG-Logo-Jan.-25-700px.webp jdobberstein@lessitermedia.com As the ag market continues its correction course, Titan Machinery’s Holdrege store works to optimize customer service, mulls what future farm customers will look like As the ag market continues its correction course, Titan Machinery’s Holdrege store works to optimize customer service, mulls what future farm customers will look like 

]]> http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/24195 Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/24195-titan-holdrege-serving-the-past-present-and-future BOTG-Logo-Jan.-25-700px.jpg jdobberstein@lessitermedia.com Marcus Dunbar, general manager of Titan Machinery’s store in Holdrege, Neb., provides an overview of changes he hopes to make to the facility to improve storage capacity and the dealership’s effort to keep absorption rates at a high level. Dunbar also takes you inside the service shop in Holdrege. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/24289 Fri, 30 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/24289-video-feeding-the-revenue-machine Boots-on-the-Ground--Feeding-the-Revenue-Machine.png jdobberstein@lessitermedia.com Marcus Dunbar, general manager of Titan Machinery’s store in Holdrege, Neb., discusses improvements being discussed to improve customer service in parts delivery, and how technology is changing the nature of service efforts. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/24288 Fri, 30 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/24288-video-how-technology-is-changing-parts-and-service Boots-on-the-Ground--How-Technology-is-Changing-Parts-&-Service.png jdobberstein@lessitermedia.com Marcus Dunbar, general manager of Titan Machinery’s store in Holdrege, Neb., talks about the market outlook for the dealership this summer and the importance of Section 179 deductions and full depreciation for both customers and the dealership. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/24287 Fri, 30 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/24287-video-dealing-with-a-fluctuating-market Boots-on-the-Ground--Dealing-with-a-Fluctuating-Market.png jdobberstein@lessitermedia.com Marcus Dunbar, general manager of Titan Machinery’s dealerships in Holdrege and Kearney, Neb., shares what the stores are doing – working with Titan’s resources – to attract and train badly needed manpower in the face of anticipated retirements. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/23926 Tue, 01 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/23926-video-keeping-titan-holdrege-staffed-and-working Keeping-Titan-Holdrege-Staffed-and-Working.png jdobberstein@lessitermedia.com In Part 2 of our Boots on the Ground series, parts and service are the bread-and-butter for Titan Machinery’s Holdrege dealership. General Manager Marcus Dunbar explains the how and why behind it, and the challenges his dealership tackled with supply chain issues last year and the outlook for 2025. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/23925 Tue, 01 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/23925-video-keeping-parts-and-servicer-the-core-of-dealership-services Keeping-Parts-and-Servicer-the-Core-of-Dealership-Services.png jdobberstein@lessitermedia.com In Part 1 our Boots on the Ground Series, Marcus Dunbar, general manager of Titan Machinery’s Holdrege and Kearney locations, talks with Farm Equipment about Titan’s acquisition of the stores in 2009 and the changes his local market has seen over the years. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/23924 Tue, 01 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/23924-video-marcus-dunbar-talks-changes-to-dealership-local-market Marcus-Dunbar-Talks-Changes-to-Dealership,-Local-Market.png jdobberstein@lessitermedia.com On a blustery February day in southern Nebraska, as farmers were busy gearing up for another production season, special guests walked into Titan Machinery Holdrege for its annual open house celebration. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/23884 Mon, 24 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/23884-laser-focus-on-diversification-customer-service BOTG-Logo-Jan.-25-700px.jpg nnewman@lessitermedia.com Judging by the shiny, new 2024 Best Dealership Award plaque on the desk of store manager Jason Boyles, it’s been a pretty good year for Vincennes, Ind., John Deere dealer Sloan Implement. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/23219 Wed, 11 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/23219-sloan-optimistic-better-days-ahead-despite-challenging-2025-outlook BOTG-Logo-Jan.-'25-700px.jpeg nnewman@lessitermedia.com Ryan Seger, salesperson for Sloan Implement in Vincennes, Ind., shares the latest developments after harvest season and discusses the importance of gathering feedback from customers after the dealership was acquired by a 22-store company over the summer. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/23199 Tue, 03 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0500 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/23199-video-gathering-valuable-feedback-from-customers-after-dealership-merger Gathering-Valuable-Feedback-From-Customers-After-Dealership-Merger.png nnewman@lessitermedia.com Ryan Seger, salesperson for Sloan Implement in Vincennes, Ind., explains why customers are increasingly interested in precision upgrades despite a challenging ag market. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/23198 Tue, 03 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0500 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/23198-video-uptick-in-precision-technology-interest-despite-tough-market Uptick-in-Precision-Technology-Interest-Despite-Tough-Market.png nnewman@lessitermedia.com Jason Boyles, store manager for Vincennes, Ind., Deere dealer Sloan Implement, discusses his top 2 goals for winter: keeping the shop busy and moving used equipment. Boyles also explains the key to staying positive in what’s looking like another challenging year ahead. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/23197 Tue, 03 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0500 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/23197-video-keeping-shop-busy-and-moving-used-equipment-over-winter Keeping-Shop-Busy-&-Moving-Used-Equipment-Over-Winter.png