A Precision Farming Dealer Staff Report

Tracking employee ROI, measuring the value of agronomic service offerings and strategizing on how to attract the next generation of precision specialists were conversational threads woven into the discussion at the first-ever Precision Farming Dealer Summit.

The sold out event, held at the Marriott Downtown Hotel in Indianapolis, Ind., on Jan. 5-6, drew 197 total attendees including representation from more than 50 equipment and precision-only dealerships throughout North America.

Emphasizing the theme Profitable Precision Strategies, Precision Farming Dealer managing editor Jack Zemlicka noted during opening remarks that many dealers have the same questions when it comes to making money with their precision business:

• How can we get our customers to consistently pay for precision service?
• Where do we find talented, reliable precision specialists to grow our staff?
• What role should our dealership be playing in the ‘Big Data’ revolution?

While there is no silver bullet solution to building and maintaining a profitable precision business, the 15 speakers, 2 sets of roundtable discussions and intense networking opportunities at the 2-day conference sought to deliver actionable answers for attendees.

Conversations spanned the spectrum of the practical (the root of all profitability starts with the plant) to the debatable (should dealerships partner or fly solo with data management service options?), and attendees cited immediate takeaways and newfound precision allies before heading home.

From the single-location independent dealer to the multi-store farm equipment retailer, the veteran precision ag manager to the newly hired specialist, the passion for precision farming was palpable. Click the link below to view the Summit’s learning-intense environment. Stay tuned for extended coverage of the conference in the March 2016 issue of Farm Equipment magazine and online at www.Farm-Equipment.com and www.PrecisionFarmingDealer.com.

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Summer Print Edition Preview

Sitting Down with the PFD Advisory Board At the conclusion of the Precision Farming Dealer Summit in January, Lessiter Media president Mike Lessiter and managing editor Jack Zemlicka had the opportunity to coordinate the first meeting (with 4 of the 5 members) of the recently formed Precision Farming Dealer advisory board. Board members include, Ken Diller, precision farming network manager with Hoober Inc. in Intercourse, Pa., Dave Nelson, owner of Brokaw Supply Co. in Fort Dodge, Iowa, Tim Norris, CEO of Ag Info Tech in Mount Vernon, Ohio, Chad Pfitzer, integrated solutions manager with 4 Rivers Equipment, Greeley, Colo., and Brent Wiesenburger, precision ag manager with South Dakota Wheat Growers in Aberdeen, S.D. The candid discussion featured diverse perspectives on topics including the greatest needs to grow precision business, how to adapt to an evolving industry and capitalizing on niche opportunities to position a dealership for long-term stability. Stay tuned for detailed coverage of this unique meeting in the Summer 2016 print edition of Precision Farming Dealer.

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