One of the reasons we ask dealers for comments when we conduct industry surveys is because they give the aggregated numbers of the survey some "color". Another way to say it is they add context to the compiled data
It looks like combines are in for a rough year. With the continuing slowdown in sales, you can't help but wonder what will happen with combine rolls that have become so popular over the past decade.
While strict EPA Tier 4 emission standards for small off-road diesel engines have been in effect since January 1, 2013, many customers for new small tractors have been buying “built ahead” Tier 3-compliant models — but the inventory of those machines is rapidly dwindling.
As of this writing, dairy prices are at record levels and livestock prices are rebounding, but grain prices are trading at 50-60% below their record levels of a few years ago. As a result, farmer income is now expected to be down 14% this year.
Last week I had a long telephone conversation with an equipment dealer I know pretty well. We discussed where the industry is these days and where's it's heading.
If you have any doubt about dealers value to their manufacturers, you should know that the independent research firm Morningstar rates the quality of dealer networks as one of three major characteristics that sets one manufacturer apart from their rivals.
After covering the John Deere and Case IH media events within the last two weeks, as well as one put on The Climate Corp. at the Farm Progress Show last week, I can't help but think what a revolution agriculture is going through.
Do you use parts-to-labor ratio as a key benchmark in your operation? This important rule of thumb maintains that for every dollar of labor sales, your dealership should generate one dollar of parts sales. Both parts and service should be your dealership's most profitable departments and this ratio helps drive profits in both areas.
Could 3-D printing revolutionize the parts and service department in the dealership of tomorrow? Robert Saik, author of The Agriculture Manifesto and founder and CEO of The Agri-Trend Group, thinks 3-D printing is one of the drivers that will shape agriculture in the next decade. Saik writes, I think this is going to revolutionize the parts and the equipment industry going forward and it's going to drastically change how we handle our inventories and the delivery of repair parts to farmers.
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.