Operations & Finance A look at the business side of selling equipment, including what numbers to measure in your dealership and how successful farm equipment dealers manage absorption, cashflow and inventory turns. https://www.farm-equipment.com/rss en-us Plug the Leaks: How to Reclaim Lost Revenue on Rental Consumables and Wear Fees [Webinar] Join Aptean for a practical look at how agricultural equipment dealers can recover lost rental revenue from unbilled consumables, equipment wear, damage and overtime. Learn how consistent return inspections and accurate billing can help protect rental fleet profitability. Aptean for a practical look at how agricultural equipment dealers can recover lost rental revenue from unbilled consumables, equipment wear, damage and overtime. Learn how consistent return inspections and accurate billing can help protect rental fleet profitability.]]> http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25800 Thu, 05 Nov 2026 13:30:00 -0500 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25800-plug-the-leaks-how-to-reclaim-lost-revenue-on-rental-consumables-and-wear-fees-webinar Aptean Equipment Logo.png From the Shop to the Field: How Equipment Dealers Are Winning with AI Join Brilliant Harvest to hear real-world examples and survey findings on how equipment dealers are using AI to improve technician efficiency, strengthen parts and service operations, and better support customers Brilliant Harvest to hear real-world examples and survey findings on how equipment dealers are using AI to improve technician efficiency, strengthen parts and service operations, and better support customers]]> http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25831 Wed, 04 Nov 2026 17:30:00 -0500 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25831-from-the-shop-to-the-field-how-equipment-dealers-are-winning-with-ai Brilliant Harvest logo.png How Private Equity Values Equipment Dealerships: What Every Dealer Should Know [Webinar] Marc Johnson of Pinion and Malcolm Rhodes of RCS Consulting share a practical discussion on how investors evaluate equipment dealerships and what separates high-value dealerships from the rest. Pinion and Malcolm Rhodes of RCS Consulting share a practical discussion on how investors evaluate equipment dealerships and what separates high-value dealerships from the rest.]]> http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25761 Thu, 29 Oct 2026 19:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25761-how-private-equity-values-equipment-dealerships-what-every-dealer-should-know-webinar When Your Dealership Outgrows Its Management Structure How Messick’s Equipment grew fast, but strategically prepared ahead of time How Messick’s Equipment grew fast, but strategically prepared ahead of time

]]> http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25744 Tue, 06 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25744-when-your-dealership-outgrows-its-management-structure Messicks Equipment-1.jpg The Technician Shortage Begins Before the Job Opening Dealers, schools & students want the same outcome: a steady, reliable tech pipeline, butgetting there requires a willingness to build it together Dealers, schools & students want the same outcome: a steady, reliable tech pipeline, but
getting there requires a willingness to build it together

]]> http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25732 Tue, 06 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25732-the-technician-shortage-begins-before-the-job-opening Careers in Ag-1.jpg Photo by Kim Schmidt How Dealers Prevent Auctions from Undermining Sales and Service Dane@agguard.com Used equipment auctions can help clear aging inventory, but they’re also putting pressure on retail prices, dealer margins and customer relationships. This article is brought to you by Ag Guard. Used equipment auctions can help clear aging inventory, but they’re also putting pressure on retail prices, dealer margins and customer relationships. This article is brought to you by Ag Guard.

]]> http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25622 Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25622-how-dealers-prevent-auctions-from-undermining-sales-and-service Expanding the Dealership to Tire Servicing 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. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25556 Fri, 14 Aug 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25556-expanding-the-dealership-to-tire-servicing Part 1: 2 Time-Proven Traits for Human Capital Success from 2026 Dealership Minds Summit Presenter mlessiter@lesspub.com Part 1 in this series is based on a profile assessment conference call on May 21, 2026 by Bryan Arzani, vice president and co-founder of Results Group and president of Innermetrix North America. The following is his description of key trait indicators from research that he shared before delving into a profile assessment exercise into matching positions to a future candidate. Part 1 in this series is based on a profile assessment conference call on May 21, 2026 by Bryan Arzani, vice president and co-founder of Results Group and president of Innermetrix North America. The following is his description of key trait indicators from research that he shared before delving into a profile assessment exercise into matching positions to a future candidate.

]]> http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25469 Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25469-part-1-2-time-proven-traits-for-human-capital-success-from-2026-dealership-minds-summit-presenter Cash Management in a Sales Slowdown A sales slowdown doesn’t need to cause panic amongst dealers according to experts at Pinion, an agricultural based accounting and business advisory firm. A sales slowdown doesn’t need to cause panic amongst dealers according to experts at Pinion, an agricultural based accounting and business advisory firm.

]]> http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25462 Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25462-cash-management-in-a-sales-slowdown The Revenue Signal: The Aftermarket Revenue You Don't Know You're Losing Most equipment dealers can recite their parts and service numbers down to the percentage point. Far fewer can say how much of that revenue is quietly walking out the door. Most equipment dealers can recite their parts and service numbers down to the percentage point. Far fewer can say how much of that revenue is quietly walking out the door.

]]> http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25441 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25441-the-revenue-signal-the-aftermarket-revenue-you-dont-know-youre-losing Slower Market, Smarter Deals For many ag equipment dealers, the challenge isn’t just moving iron—it’s protecting profitability in every deal. This article is brought to you by Ag Guard. For many ag equipment dealers, the challenge isn’t just moving iron—it’s protecting profitability in every deal. This article is brought to you by Ag Guard.

]]> http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25422 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25422-slower-market-smarter-deals Ag Guard Bundled Deals.png Family Values & Emphasis on Customer Service Drives Success for Messick’s Equipment mvogel@lesspub.com The 9-store Pennsylvania-based Dealership of the Year utilizes several outside-the-box practices and protocols to foster success and positivity. The 2026 Dealership of the Year is brought to you with the support of Associated Equipment Distributors (AED). The 9-store Pennsylvania-based Dealership of the Year utilizes several outside-the-box practices and protocols to foster success and positivity. The 2026 Dealership of the Year is brought to you with the support of Associated Equipment Distributors (AED).

]]> http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25427 Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25427-family-values-and-emphasis-on-customer-service-drives-success-for-messicks-equipment DOY-Messicks_FE_0726_1.jpg Members of the Messick family include (L-R) Bob, Bryan, Scott, Neil, Lucas, Ken and Kevin. The family has run the dealership for 3 generations since Merville and Marlin Messick opened the first store in 1952. Messick’s Equipment General Session: Metrics & Benchmarks that Maximize Your Service Parts Inventory ROI Dean Devore, general manager of Parts Academy, shares 4 operational ideas that will maximize your parts inventory ROI. Dean Devore, general manager of Parts Academy, shares 4 operational ideas that will maximize your parts inventory ROI.

]]> http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25394 Thu, 18 Jun 2026 10:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25394-general-session-metrics-and-benchmarks-that-maximize-your-service-parts-inventory-roi Dean Devore.png Compeer Financial Collaborates with PepsiCo to Provide Strip-Till Equipment Financing Compeer Financial is teaming up with PepsiCo and other industry partners to offer a pilot leasing program for strip-till equipment, helping offset upfront financial costs for farmers implementing soil conservation practices on their farms. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25385 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25385-compeer-financial-collaborates-with-pepsico-to-provide-strip-till-equipment-financing Compeer Strip-Till.png Diversifying Revenue Streams: Exploring Rental as a New Profit Center for Ag Dealers [Webinar] Join Preston McGhee, Corporate Rental Director at James River Equipment, for a practical conversation on what it really takes to build rental into a dealership.

Join Preston McGhee, Corporate Rental Director at James River Equipment, for a practical conversation on what it really takes to build rental into a dealership.




]]> http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25243 Wed, 13 May 2026 18:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25243-diversifying-revenue-streams-exploring-rental-as-a-new-profit-center-for-ag-dealers-webinar VitalEdge Technologies logo.png AGCO Reports Q1 2026 Increased 14.3% AGCO reported net sales of $2.3 billion for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026, an increase of 14.3% compared to the first quarter of 2025. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25297 Fri, 08 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25297-agco-reports-q1-2026-increased-143 ROI on Coverage: Understanding the Real Return of Value Dane@agguard.com When dealers talk about return on investment (ROI) on coverage, they are rarely referring to ROI in the traditional financial sense. In practice, the conversation is about the value created by the investment. When dealers talk about return on investment (ROI) on coverage, they are rarely referring to ROI in the traditional financial sense. In practice, the conversation is about the value created by the investment.

]]> http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25246 Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25246-roi-on-coverage-understanding-the-real-return-of-value From Growth to Guardrails: Cash Management in a Sales Slowdown [Webinar] Learn how equipment dealers can manage cash in a sales slowdown with guidance from Pinion. Explore strategies to protect equity, improve liquidity, and make stronger financial decisions in 2026.

Learn how equipment dealers can manage cash in a sales slowdown with guidance from Pinion. Explore strategies to protect equity, improve liquidity, and make stronger financial decisions in 2026.




]]> http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25185 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 17:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25185-from-growth-to-guardrails-cash-management-in-a-sales-slowdown-webinar Preview of the Inaugural Ag Equipment Intelligence Executive Summit [Webinar] Lessiter Media’s President & CEO, Mike Lessiter, shares a preview of the inaugural, invitation-only Ag Equipment Intelligence Executive Summit that will be held just outside of Chicago-O’Hare airport on May 19-20, 2026. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25220 Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:30:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25220-preview-of-the-inaugural-ag-equipment-intelligence-executive-summit-webinar AEI_Executive-Summit-Logo-2026-.png The Modern Service Department: Faster Turns, Higher Margins [Webinar] Discover how to boost service department efficiency, eliminate workflow breakdowns, and unlock higher labor revenue with proven strategies from Clint Sanders, Director of Sales at DIS. DIS.]]> http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25127 Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25127-the-modern-service-department-faster-turns-higher-margins-webinar DIS-Logo_4c.png 2026 Dealership Minds Summit Speaker Program Released Focused on the theme of “Maximizing Operational ROI,” the 2026 Summit provides dealers with everything they need to know to magnify their best practices and drive operational excellence in an uncertain market. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25180 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25180-2026-dealership-minds-summit-speaker-program-released DMS-Cover-_0426.png One Click Won't Fix It: The Parts Availability Problem Ag Equipment Can't Keep Ignoring When Farming Simulator 25 added the MacDon FD2 FlexDraper to its equipment lineup — modelled with impressive accuracy down to how it contours across uneven terrain — I was genuinely curious. So I watched someone play it. When Farming Simulator 25 added the MacDon FD2 FlexDraper to its equipment lineup — modelled with impressive accuracy down to how it contours across uneven terrain — I was genuinely curious. So I watched someone play it. 

]]> http://www.farm-equipment.com/blogs/6/post/25164 Fri, 03 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/blogs/6-opinions-columns/post/25164-one-click-wont-fix-it-the-parts-availability-problem-ag-equipment-cant-keep-ignoring Ben Groeneveld First-Ever Dealership Minds Summit 'Shark Tank' kschmidt@lessitermedia.com As we prepare the program for the 12th Annual Dealership Minds Summit, being held Aug. 4-5 in Springfield, Ill., I need your help on a new idea for this year's event. As we prepare the program for the 12th Annual Dealership Minds Summit, being held Aug. 4-5 in Springfield, Ill., I need your help on a new idea for this year's event. 

]]> http://www.farm-equipment.com/blogs/6/post/25130 Wed, 25 Mar 2026 09:10:35 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/blogs/6-opinions-columns/post/25130-first-ever-dealership-minds-summit-shark-tank Kim-Schmidt-2023_thumb.jpg Titan Machinery Decreases Equipment Inventory by $122 Million in FY 2026 Titan achieves $206 million cumulative inventory reduction in fiscal 2026, surpassing management's target of $150 million. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25123 Thu, 19 Mar 2026 16:39:17 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25123-titan-machinery-decreases-equipment-inventory-by-122-million-in-fy-2026 SATISFYD Releases 2026 Customer & Employee Experience Benchmark Report for Dealers This year’s data shows overall Net Promoter Score (NPS) declined from 80 to 77, following several years of relative stability.

]]> http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25112 Mon, 16 Mar 2026 11:05:39 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25112-satisfyd-releases-2026-customer-and-employee-experience-benchmark-report-for-dealers AI’s Potential for Ag Machinery Manufacturers Baird analyst Mircea (Mig) Dobre said that the firm views AI as a potential disrupter for business models built on information access and digital products. Baird analyst Mircea (Mig) Dobre said that the firm views AI as a potential disrupter for business models built on information access and digital products.

]]> http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25106 Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25106-ais-potential-for-ag-machinery-manufacturers Farm Equipment Announces Theme of 2026 Dealership Minds Summit The 2026 Dealership Minds Summit in Springfield, Ill., will focus on the theme of “Maximizing Operational ROI.” The 2026 Dealership Minds Summit in Springfield, Ill., will focus on the theme of “Maximizing Operational ROI.”

]]> http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25061 Wed, 04 Mar 2026 16:36:18 -0500 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25061-farm-equipment-announces-theme-of-2026-dealership-minds-summit Future-Proofing Your Dealership Business advisors use the term “future proofing” to describe the discipline organizations need to prepare for generational success — economically, technologically and culturally. Business advisors use the term “future proofing” to describe the discipline organizations need to prepare for generational success — economically, technologically and culturally.

]]> http://www.farm-equipment.com/blogs/6/post/25088 Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.farm-equipment.com/blogs/6-opinions-columns/post/25088-future-proofing-your-dealership Driving Dealership Absorption Tips & tactics to help dealers reduce reliance on equipment sales, improve financial stability & strengthen resiliency during challenging times Tips & tactics to help dealers reduce reliance on equipment sales, improve financial stability & strengthen resiliency during challenging times

]]> http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25079 Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/25079-driving-dealership-absorption George-Keen-Wise-Wolf-Consulting.jpg George Keen, Wise Wolf Consulting, says focusing on absorption and becoming a high-profit dealer requires consistent commitment. Jeff lazewski Are We In for Another Wild Ride? kschmidt@lessitermedia.com Last year was like being on a roller coaster that you didn’t want to ride in the first place. And so far, the news cycle in 2026 appears to be extending the ride. Last year was like being on a roller coaster that you didn’t want to ride in the first place. And so far, the news cycle in 2026 appears to be extending the ride. 

]]> http://www.farm-equipment.com/blogs/6/post/25075 Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.farm-equipment.com/blogs/6-opinions-columns/post/25075-are-we-in-for-another-wild-ride Kim-Schmidt-2023.jpg Kim Schmidt, Executive Editor