U.S. General George Patton’s famous quote, “A good plan implemented today is better than a perfect plan implemented tomorrow,” is sound advice for any farm equipment dealer.
Writing this column at the midway point of our second Precision Farming Dealer Summit in St. Louis, onboarding millennial specialists, implementing a reliable customer relations management system and building automatic renewals into precision service plans were a few early highlights.
Following a highly successful, first-ever Precision Farming Dealer Summit last year, the encore 2017 Summit once again attracted a sold out crowd of diverse dealers to network, learn and share ideas for improving the success and profitability of their precision farming business.
Writing this column at the midway point of our second Precision Farming Dealer Summit in St. Louis, onboarding millennial specialists, implementing a reliable customer relations management system and building automatic renewals into precision service plans were a few early highlights.
Finding the next generation of precision farming specialist is a challenge that more than 85% of dealers reported being a priority to grow their precision business in the Precision Farming Dealer 2016 Benchmark Study.
With customers planting and harvesting crops throughout the year, Layne Richins, Integrated Solutions Coordinator with Stotz Equipment, in Casa Grande, Ariz., doesn’t necessarily deal with the same service peaks as his peers in other parts of the country. Juggling a constant and diverse flow of precision support needs requires acute time management, while also prioritizing the most pressing customer needs.
Restructuring precision farming responsibilities throughout the dealership helped streamline billing, accountability and efficiency for Layne Richins, Integrated Solutions Coordinator with Stotz Equipment. Richins is also the service manager at the in Casa Grande, Ariz., store and says centralizing precision support through the service department minimizes customer confusion and allows for quicker response times.
As progressive farmers seek to do more with their collected field information, Layne Richins, Integrated Solutions Coordinator with Stotz Equipment in Casa Grande, Ariz., leverages face-to-face customer meetings to explain the setup and benefits of a data management system, with a personal touch in mind.
Designing and implementing a precise land leveling game plan with customers using grading and surveying software is an increasing service opportunity for Layne Richins, Integrated Solutions Coordinator with Stotz Equipment in Casa Grande, Ariz.
Aftermarket precision upgrades can require in-field training to get customers up to speed and comfortable with new technology. Layne Richins, Integrated Solutions Coordinator with Stotz Equipment in Casa Grande, Ariz., spends time field starting a new John Deere R4038 sprayer and activate section control and AutoTrac. Thorough preparation, setup and explanation of ROI are keys to capitalizing on equipment upgrades, especially when dealing with operators who aren’t typically farm owners.
Go behind the scenes with Leo Johnson and his son, Patrick, as they plant corn into strips for the first time on their 1,000-acre farm in Clinton, Wis. Jason Pennycook, precision specialist for 9-store Case IH dealer Johnson Tractor, comes to the rescue with remote support when Patrick runs into a problem with the planter in the field.
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.
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.
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.