Best Practices

Farm Equipment News IQ: August 2026 Quiz 2 Answers

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400

View the correct answers to the latest Farm Equipment News IQ quiz. Farm Equipment News IQ is brought to you by Kelly Tillage.

Shortlines Offer More than Sales Dollars

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400

For most of the farm machinery business, the big sign out front commands the lion’s share of investment, time and attention — and the major-lines monitor it, of course.

Farm Equipment News IQ: August 2026 Quiz 2

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 14:00:00 -0400

How well do you know your farm equipment news? Test your knowledge of recent ag industry updates! Farm Equipment News IQ is brought to you by Kelly Tillage.

AI in the Dealership: What's Real, What's Hype, and What to Do About It [Webinar]

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Watch a practical, no-hype session on where AI is already saving dealers time and money today, where it still can't replace your people, and how to evaluate AI tools so you invest in the ones that actually move your business forward.

Find, and Face, the Struggle

mlessiter@lesspub.com — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400

A to-be-remembered keynote at the Dealership Minds Summit challenges frustrated managers to act now by by getting those who want to avoid the difficult to step up and into it.

3 Big Lessons Learned from the Journey of a Legendary Innovator

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Before launching two revolutionary ag tech companies, Gregg Sauder was a struggling farmer who became an inventor out of necessity. He was never satisfied with the way equipment ran and always thought there was room for improvement.

Reflections on a Week of Collaboration & Learning in Springfield, Ill.

hlessiter@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Springfield has its share of attractions to visit, but it wasn’t tourism that attracted so many people to Springfield for the week. Rather, it was to meet with their like-minded peers who share a common goal of seeking a better way for their businesses and industry.

Expanding the Dealership to Tire Servicing

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 08:00:00 -0400

In an effort to take care of the whole farm, Best-In Class King Ranch Ag & Turf also has an extensive tire shop at its Robstown location. While the company has been selling tires for the better part of 30 years, in 2022 it built a new facility that included a dedicated tire warehouse.

2026 Farm Equipment Dealer Hall of Fame Ceremony

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Among the highlights of last week’s Dealership Minds Summit in Illinois was the annual Dealer Hall of Fame ceremony. Humorous, heart-felt and touching personal remarks from each of the recipients on their life’s calling as farm equipment dealers can be watched here.

Farm Equipment News IQ: August 2026 Quiz 1 Answers

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400

View the correct answers to the latest Farm Equipment News IQ quiz. Farm Equipment News IQ is brought to you by Kelly Tillage.

Top Dealership Minds Gather in Springfield, Ill., to Discuss Strategies for Maximizing Operational ROI at 12th Annual Dealership Minds Summit

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 10:00:00 -0400

The 2026 Dealership Minds Summit, held at the President Abraham Lincoln DoubleTree Hotel in Springfield, Ill., on August 4-5 drew a crowd of over 220 attendees — including 134 first-timers — from 45 different dealership groups across the U.S. and Canada.

[Podcast] AGCO & CNH Announce Precision & Technology Leadership Shifts

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode of On the Record, brought to you by Associated Equipment Distributors, we look at the implications Deere's settlement with the FTC has on the broader industry.

Farm Equipment News IQ: August 2026 Quiz 1

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400

How well do you know your farm equipment news? Test your knowledge of recent ag industry updates! Farm Equipment News IQ is brought to you by Kelly Tillage.

Farm Equipment News IQ: July 2026 Quiz 2 Answers

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400

View the correct answers to the latest Farm Equipment News IQ quiz. Farm Equipment News IQ is brought to you by Kelly Tillage.

Discovering America’s Entrepreneurial Spirit in Rural Illinois

hlessiter@lessitermedia.com — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

"I recently took a business trip through Illinois and discovered some things about the ag industry and our nation's history along the way."

Nominate a Dealer for Farm Equipment’s 2027 Dealership of the Year Award Program

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 08:01:00 -0400

Farm Equipment once again had a successful year with the Dealership of the Year program in 2026, and now it’s time to find 2027’s top dealers.

How to Identify Your ‘Code of Success’

mlessiter@lesspub.com — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

This year, for our 2026 Summer Intern Cohort at Lessiter Media, we’re doing something we haven’t done before. We’re giving each of the interns a parting gift as they start to wrap up their summers with us. Something they can carry with them in their remaining studies and career.

[Podcast] Deere’s FTC Settlement & the Future of Ag Tech Innovations

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode of On the Record, brought to you by Associated Equipment Distributors, we look at John Deere’s settlement with the FTC and whether it’s a win or a loss for the OEM and dealers more broadly.

Providing Data Reports to Your Customers

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400

A data analytics team helps customers make sense of their data and use it to make improvements in their operations.

Farm Equipment News IQ: July 2026 Quiz 2

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

How well do you know your farm equipment news? Test your knowledge of recent ag industry updates! Farm Equipment News IQ is brought to you by Kelly Tillage.

How 3 Precision Specialists Go the Extra Mile to Achieve Greatness

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

From sleeping inside a converted ambulance to multi-tasking from the sidelines of a softball game, here are 3 stories of precision specialists going the extra mile to keep their customers up and running.

Educating Customers on Trade-In Value & Specs that Will Sell

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400

When replacing tractor supplies, the timing needs to be right.

[Video] eCommerce & Parts Strengthens Messick's Business

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Neil Messick, Co-Owner, Brian Messick, President, and Jay Gainer, General Manager, discuss their nationwide parts department.

[Video] Messick's Improving Sales Training through Tech Mentorship

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Neil Messick, Co-Owner, Brian Messick, President, and Jay Gainer, General Manager, talk about the steep learning curve employees face upon hiring, and how hiring full-time trainers/mentors has helped equip salesmen to adequately serve the customers and cut back on that learning curve.

[Video] Building Community with Customers & Employees

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Neil Messick, Co-Owner, and Brian Messick, President, discuss how they approach marketing, engaging the community and creating a family atmosphere.

[Video] Serving a Diverse Customer Base with Shortlines & Strong Parts Business

Sat, 18 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Neil Messick, Co-Owner, Brian Messick, President, and Jay Gainer, General Manager, discuss the variations in serving the ag, consumer and construction industries.

[Video] Management Structure & Business System Balances Growth

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Neil Messick, Co-Owner, Brian Messick, President, and Jay Gainer, General Manager, discuss how creating another layer of leadership to the management structure allowed for increased support to each dealership.

[Video] Messick's 3rd Generation Owners Bring Unique Skills to Business

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Neil Messick, Co-Owner, Brian Messick, President, and Jay Gainer, General Manager, discuss how the Messick’s dealership has grown over the past 75 years to now employ 350 people.

Farm Equipment News IQ: July 2026 Quiz 1 Answers

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

View the correct answers to the latest Farm Equipment News IQ quiz. Farm Equipment News IQ is brought to you by Kelly Tillage.

What the Rubik Leader Learned from Dorothy on the Way to Oz

russ@wbglobalservices.com — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy begins her journey in chaos. A tornado lifts her from the familiar and drops her into a strange world where nothing works the way she expects. This is the same emotional moment every leader experiences when promoted from an individual contributor to a leadership role.