Autonomy & Robotics, Industry News

[Technology Corner] Solectrac Envisions Electric Future with Hybrid Sales Model

[Technology Corner] Solectrac Envisions Electric Future with Hybrid Sales Model

By Michaela Paukner

Solectrac, a California-based company that manufactures 100% electric tractors, is reimagining the traditional tractor dealership model as it prepares to introduce new models in 2022.

Must Read Free Eguides

Download these helpful knowledge building tools

This month's digital sponsors:

Resources

Precision Ag 101

Feeling overwhelmed?

Start with these information-packed articles hand-picked by our editors:

33 Tips for Turning Billable Service Into Recurring Precision Revenue
Providing reliable service is a source of pride for dealers, but recouping a reasonable return on their time remains a challenge.

8 Tips for Building Better Dealer-Farmer Precision Partnerships
Three farmers and three precision equipment specialists discuss strategies for anticipating service needs, maximizing sales opportunities and avoiding customer conflict.

20 Employee Training & Retention Tips for Precision Ag Staff
A diverse group of dealers divulge their secrets to motivating new employees, making the most of training opportunities and why an ‘open book’ approach can be a competitive advantage.

Current Issue

Precision Farming Dealer

Day In The Cab: Guide Staff with Upper-Level Precision Support
Shifting to a Proactive Sales Model
Hutson Recruits Outside of Ag

Progressive Sales Model Requires Dealerships to be Proactive, Not Reactive

Looking Beyond Ag to Solve the Precision Labor Shortage

On-Site & In-Shop Technical Support Yields Efficient Customer Service

Autonomy & Robotics

Videos

[Technology Corner] Solectrac Envisions Electric Future with Hybrid Sales Model

[Technology Corner] Solectrac Envisions Electric Future with Hybrid Sales Model

Solectrac, a California-based company that manufactures 100% electric tractors, is reimagining the traditional tractor dealership model as it prepares to introduce new models in 2022.

[Technology Corner] How Close to Fully Autonomous Equipment Are We?

[Technology Corner] How Close to Fully Autonomous Equipment Are We?

Fully autonomous vehicles may be closer — and more necessary — than you think. That’s the argument of Bill Lehmkuhl, owner of Precision Agri-Service, an independent precision dealer group headquartered in Ohio. Today, we’re taking a look at some of the highlights on his autonomy timeline.

[Technology Corner] Ohio Dealer Uses 2004 GPS Receivers to Help Customers Amid Shortages

[Technology Corner] Ohio Dealer Uses 2004 GPS Receivers to Help Customers Amid Shortages

Supply chain shortages have some dealers digging out decades-old precision equipment to help their customers get crops off the fields. To fill in the gap during the busy September-November harvest season, Deere dealer Ag-Pro is putting GPS units from 2004 back to work.

[Technology Corner] Kubota to Acquire AgJunction for $72 8M

[Technology Corner] Kubota to Acquire AgJunction for $72 8M

Kubota Corp. plans to acquire AgJunction, a company that develops guidance, autosteer and autonomy technology, for $72.8 million. AgJunction announced the acquisition on Oct. 8. The company plans to hold a special meeting for shareholders in November to seek approval for the acquisition, and the transition would likely close shortly after approval.

PFD Features

Training an Entire Dealership to be Precision Savvy

At the start of 2020, we launched what we considered a critical training initiative around precision farming that applied to every employee, no matter their position or responsibility within the dealership.
Creating Precision Opportunity Out of Crisis

Regardless of size, location or brand, the last year was an inescapable labyrinth of lessons for precision dealerships. From rapid adoption of remote support platforms — both for internal communication and external service — to salvaging the most adaptable business objectives to at least maintain the status quo.
Preparing Your Dealership to Sell & Service Autonomous Equipment

Autonomy is on the horizon for the ag equipment industry. Between John Deere’s 2019 driverless tractor concept and Raven Industries accepting preorders for its Autonomous AutoCart, the reality of farmers purchasing and utilizing autonomous equipment is only growing.
Manage the Minutia of a Precision Business to Achieve Measurable Growth

Paperwork, procedures and performance measurements may be considered necessary evils in the day-to-day workflow of a precision business, but done right, they provide invaluable insights into how to improve operational efficiency in a relationship-driven industry.

From the Virtual Terminal

Battling Burnout & Building Stability

Customer service and experience are important to every dealership, but what about when that experience comes at the expense of your precision staff? The topic of burnout is nothing new but continues to be something precision staffs are faced with. During a roundtable discussion at this summer’s Dealership Minds Summit, a group of dealers came to the consensus that call volume is the leading cause of burnout for their precision teams.
Rethinking Carbon's 'Additionality' Requirement

To generate a carbon credit, a producer must demonstrate a metric ton of C02 (or its equivalent in greenhouse gases (GHG)) was sequestered in soil because of the farmers’ efforts. Seems simple enough, but there is usually another requirement called “additionality” that makes this more challenging for many farmers already implementing conservation practices.
Are NFTs the Answer to the Ag Data Ownership Question?

For years, farmers have asked, “Who owns my ag data after I share it with an ag tech company?” This has not been an easy question to answer as a lawyer.
Adapting to a Shifting Market

It’s not news that the precision farming market is shifting. However, the news earlier this week that CNH Industrial was acquiring Raven Industries certainly came as a surprise.

Precision Farming Dealer Podcast

[Podcast] Trends in Autonomous Agriculture with Autotech Ventures

In today’s Precision Farming Dealer podcast, brought to you by Trimble, Alexei Andreev, managing director of Autotech Ventures, details his predictions for the technologies that will transform the agriculture industry, how big tech companies’ potential involvement in agriculture would affect the industry and dealerships, and where agriculture is experiencing a “new space race” in investment and development of technology.

Top Directory Listings

Ivy Tech Community College, Lafayette Campus

The college offers an associate degree in Applied Science in Agriculture (60 credit hours). Students enrolled in this program may specialize in precision farming technology by selecting up to 15 credit hours in this area and agriculture business, sales and agronomy.

Dakota Precision Ag Center

Lake Region State College - Dakota Precision Ag Center

The college offers an AAS in Precision Agriculture and customized precision ag- related training for agricultural producers, insurance underwriters, equipment dealer and agricultural cooperative employees and others.

HTS Ag Precision Ag Solutions

Offering training on Ag Leader, Trimble, Reichhardt, Norac and Integris Systems in twice yearly customer training events (spring/fall). Also offering individual training opportunities on any HTS Ag products and SMS software, year round.

Reichhardt Electronic Innovations, Inc

Dealer technician and sales training available by appointment at Reichhardt Training Center or dealer location.

View More

2022 Precision Farming Dealer Summit

REGISTER FOR THE 2022 PRECISION FARMING DEALER SUMMIT

Join top precision farming equipment dealerships from around North America in Louisville, Ky. on January 3-4 for the 2022 Precision Farming Dealer Summit.

Farm Innovations Review

Dealer Product Showcase

This month's featured products geared towards equipment dealers.

Product Roundups

Farm Progress Show Product Roundup 2021

Check out the latest offerings from these 2021 Farm Progress Show exhibitors.
Strip-Tillage Product Roundup 2021

Check out the latest strip-tillage products from some of the industry's leading suppliers.
Fertilizer Application Product Roundup 2021

Check out the latest fertilizer application products from some of the industry's leading suppliers.

Top Store Items

2017 Precision Farming Dealer Summit Meeting Binder

2017 Precision Farming Dealer Summit Meeting Binder

If you weren't able to attend Farm Equipment and Precision Farming Dealer's SOLD OUT 2017 Precision Farming Dealer Summit, you can still have the opportunity to learn leading strategies to evolve and improve the way you sell, service and support precision technology by purchasing an attendee binder.

2016 AEI Dealer Business Outlook and Trends - Farm Equipment Forecast (PDF)

2016 AEI Dealer Business Outlook and Trends - Farm Equipment Forecast (PDF)

Based on surveys from more than 300 North American dealers, not only does the 2016 Dealer Business Outlook & Trends forecast report give you a "from the trenches" look at what dealers see for equipment sales in the year ahead, but it also identifies trends for individual product sales growth. In 48 pages, the report breaks out the dealers' 2016 outlook by country, by region, by the equipment brand and by the size of their dealership. Learn more.

ORDER TODAY!

Pushing Up Profits With Precision Farming

Pushing Up Profits With Precision Farming

Examine cutting edge precision farming practices including variable-rate seeding, precision spraying and implement steering to improve accuracy and maximize profit.

Precision Farming Dealer 1-Year Subscription (U.S.)

Precision Farming Dealer 1-Year Subscription (U.S.)

Precision Farming Dealer is the dealer’s source for precision farming technologies and their application. Dedicated to best practices for selling, servicing and supporting precision farming and the equipment that relies on precision technology. Paid print subscription.

Visit Store