Last year, we worked with the Equipment Dealers Assn. (EDA) to share the results of its Dealer-Manufacturer Relations Survey with our 14,000-plus print subscribers of Farm Equipment, a report that we’re in the middle of right now for the 2017 edition.
“Be brutally honest.” That was the advice a dealer-principal shared at a recent best practice group that I lead. This insight got the group talking about how best to achieve good results from employees, colleagues, vendors, etc.
A newly patented process for “taking the temperature of growing crops” from aircraft flying nearly a mile above the field is promising to bring quicker notifications of plant stress than the popular NDVI monitoring usually associated with GreenSeeker technology.
"The parts department isn’t a particularly sexy department, so most dealers usually put their focus on the sales department. We haven’t been that way. Parts first is how we look at ourselves.” That’s what one dealer recently told me when I asked him what set his dealership apart. He went on to explain how the parts department is the first priority when it comes to training, showroom space and merchandising.
June 1, 2017, was the day John Deere unveiled its new S700 Series combines. I posted a video from the event at lunch time that day. I suspected there would be a lot of interest out there in farm country. By the next morning the video had 7,385 views.
Almost since the sales of farm machinery began its slide in late 2013 and early 2014, used ag equipment headlines have dominated the industry’s headlines. And rightfully so. Many of the best dealers in North America have said it, “The one thing that will destroy a dealer’s business faster than anything else is an uncontrolled inventory of used equipment.”
As more people are one, two or three generations off the farm, fewer people can share fond memories of visiting or working on their grandparent’s farm. This migration away from farming unfortunately leads to a loss of recognition of how important agriculture is to society and its economic importance to the U.S.
Dealer succession planning is a regular topic in the pages of Farm Equipment; in fact we devoted an entire special report and conference to the topic a few years ago. Progressive dealerships have a plan in place or are working on their plan to prepare the next generation of managers and leaders to move the business forward. But, what are you as the dealer doing to prepare your business for the next generation of customers? Anything?
There are definitely signs that there is some strength building into the tractor markets as the year continues to progress. Confidence on rural main street remains high even though the political in-fighting in Washington D.C. roils.
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 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.
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.