Home / Authors / Ben Thorpe
Ben Thorpe

Ben Thorpe

Ben Thorpe worked with Lessiter Media from 2019 to 2024, working as the Associate Research Editor of Farm Equipment and Ag Equipment Intelligence. He graduated with a writing degree from Carroll University.

Articles

ARTICLES

Boot-On-the-Ground_Logo.png
Boots on the Ground, Part 2

Alliance Tractor Works Through Unique Spring

In preparing to join Sloan Implement, servicing planters in the wettest spring in 5 years & new technology still to demo, Alliance Tractor faces a busy year
By Ben Thorpe posted on July 3, 2024 | Posted in Best Practices
It’s raining again at Alliance Tractor’s Vincennes, Ind., store in mid-May. The 4-store Indiana and Illinois John Deere dealership has faced unprecedented rainfall the past few weeks.
Read More
_Selling-Farmers-on-a-See-&-Spray-Subscription.png
Boots on the Ground

[Video] Selling Farmers on a See & Spray Subscription

By Ben Thorpe posted on June 5, 2024 | Posted in Niche Equipment Markets
The See & Spray unit set to be demoed out of the Vincennes Alliance Tractor store will operate on a "credit" system for 2024, raising the question of how farmers truly feel about paying subscriptions for technology they don't "own" in the traditional sense. And a big part of that may be proving the ROI behind the unit.
Read More
5-24-24_Thumbnail_for_web.png
On the Record

Kubota Dealers React to New Acquisition Limitations Policy

By Ben Thorpe posted on May 24, 2024 | Posted in Data & Forecasts
In this episode of On the Record, brought to you by Weasler Engineering, we take a look at some responses to Kubota's new limiting acquisitions policy for dealers. In the Technology Corner, Noah Newman examines how autonomy may provide a health benefit to the ag equipment industry. Also in this episode, John Deere's latest earnings and the end of AGCO and Ohio Ag Equipment's distribution agreement.
Read More
5-10-24-Slides_OTR_for_web.png
On the Record

Big Dealer Consolidation Continues in 2024

By Ben Thorpe posted on May 10, 2024 | Posted in Data & Forecasts
In this episode of On the Record, brought to you by Weasler Engineering, we break down the key takeaways from Ag Equipment Intelligence's newly released 2024 Big Dealer Report. In the Technology Corner, Noah Newman shows us how cover crop planting could be done autonomously. Also in this episode, CNH Industrial reports a drop in ag sales, AGCO combine and application equipment sales are down year-over-year and a UK New Holland factory strike could impact North America.
Read More
04-26-24_Thumbnail.png
On the Record

Analysts Comment on CNHI CEO's Departure

By Ben Thorpe posted on April 26, 2024 | Posted in Data & Forecasts
In this episode of On the Record, brought to you by Weasler Engineering, we talk to an analyst and dealers on how interest rate cuts could impact the ag equipment industry. In the Technology Corner, Noah Newman shows us how cover crop planting could be done autonomously. Also in this episode, the Baltimore bridge collapse, planter sales forecasts, leasing volumes and Titan Machinery's latest earnings report.
Read More

Top Articles

Current Issue

View More

Must Read Free Eguides

Download these helpful knowledge building tools

View More

Farm Equipment Videos

Two Rate Cuts Possibly by Year End

Two Rate Cuts Possibly by Year End

In this episode of On the Record, brought to you by Benzi America, Greg Roberg, vice president of sales for AgDirect, shares his expectations for potential rate cuts yet this year based on the FOMC’s comments in late July. In the Technology Corner, Noah Newman highlights the upcoming Precision Specialist Week. Also in this episode, one manufacturer who supplies a number of OEMs says “Ag is on the fastest roller coaster ride down in a quarter-century” and TractorZoom’s Andy Campbell provides an outlook on the used equipment market for the remainder of 2024.
View More
Top Directory Listings

Yetter Farm Equipment

Built on 90 years of expertise, Yetter Farm Equipment leads the agriculture industry in designing effective and innovative equipment for residue management, seedbed preparation, precision fertilizer placement, harvest attachments, strip-tillage, and more.
MonTag

Montag Mfg

Montag is the industry’s innovative leader for precise, accurate metering of fertilizer, seed and other nutrients. The Montag system has become the standard for deep banding of fertilizer. Montag is also pioneering the technology for cover crop seed application. The new Cover Crop+ is able to meter the smallest seed, and can be mounted to tillage implements, combines, plus Hagie sprayers and detasselers.

Machinery Scope

Machinery Scope

At Machinery Scope, we believe you deserve the best risk management solutions for your investments in heavy equipment. Since 2013, we have been proud to offer extended warranty, appraisals, and inspections. Machinery Scope is a family-owned business built on our experience in farming and equipment dealerships. We understand your business and provide a personalized and professional level of customer service. Machinery Scope has built a strong warranty product with our customers in mind, offering the same professional level of service from the time you get a quote, through the processing of a claim.
View More