Jack Zemlicka is the Managing Editor for Precision Farming Dealer. Since he joined Lessiter Media's Ag Division in 2012, he has covered precision farming practices, products and trends. He also serves as managing editor of Strip-Till Farmer, and technology editor of Farm Equipment and No-Till Farmer. Contact: jzemlicka@lessitermedia.com.

Site Unseen: How Visible is Your Precision Business Online?

By Jack Zemlicka posted on September 10, 2019

Have you ever not found something you were searching for online? Hard to imagine, right? With all that virtual power invested into search engines, the odds of not being able to track down whatever nugget of information you are seeking seems nearly impossible.

[Technology Corner] Independent Dealer Value

By Jack Zemlicka posted on September 6, 2019 | Posted in Industry News

The last several years have seen rapid changes in competition and collaboration within the precision farming industry. Major manufacturers have been active in acquiring boutique precision companies to complement equipment offerings.

A Scavenger Hunt for Customer Data

By Jack Zemlicka posted on August 30, 2019 | Posted in Data Management

Attendees to the annual Farm Progress Show have always enjoyed kicking the tires on new ag equipment and indulging on a variety of freebies from vendors.

[Technology Corner] 5-Year Precision Revenue Outlook

By Jack Zemlicka posted on August 23, 2019 | Posted in Precision Sales, Industry News

2019 has seen interesting new developments in market sentiments, with dealers continuing to slowly move away from hardware and steer business objectives toward data management for future revenue, according to the seventh annual Precision Farming Benchmark Study.

[Technology Corner] Sizing Down Autonomous Opportunities

By Jack Zemlicka posted on August 9, 2019 | Posted in Product Innovations, Industry News

Much has been made of autonomous advancements in the ag industry during the last few years, as a possible pathway to increased field efficiencies and a solution to labor shortages.

How Active is Your Ownership in Precision Planning?

By Jack Zemlicka posted on July 30, 2019 | Posted in Dealer Development, Industry News

Managing a dealership hasn’t gotten any easier in recent years, and talking with leadership and large and small-store operations, some are still scratching their heads over where to take their precision business in the future.

[Technology Corner] Finding the Next Start-Up ‘Unicorn’

By Jack Zemlicka posted on July 26, 2019 | Posted in Precision Sales, Industry News

Even in a challenging ag economy, dealerships are looking for opportunities which can strengthen the business for the future. Acquisitions and consolidation have long been a part of the farm equipment industry. But collaborations and partnerships, especially on the precision farming side, could be key in further developing this side of the business for dealers.

2019 BENCHMARK STUDY

Part 3: Putting Agronomic Emphasis on Service Revenue & Customer Retention

In-house agronomists and annual service contracts see jumps in 2019, while fewer rely on precision specialists for delivery of data management support.

By Jack Zemlicka posted on July 16, 2019 | Posted in Getting Into Precision, Precision Sales, Service and Support, Data Management

Agronomic service is still a push-pull offering for dealers. Some have proactively embraced and invested in providing robust support options to customers that include soil sampling, data analysis and field prescriptions.

What’s on Your Customers’ Precision Farming Wish List?

By Jack Zemlicka posted on July 15, 2019 | Posted in Industry News

Are you having conversations with them to see what can be accomplished and implemented?

[Technology Corner] Post-Planting Mindset of 'Selling Solutions'

By Jack Zemlicka posted on July 12, 2019 | Posted in Precision Sales, Industry News

Summer is typically a prime timeframe for precision salespeople to engage customers on future purchasing decisions. But with many regions dealing with delayed planting this spring, precision specialists have perhaps put off having conversations with customers about technology additions or upgrades.

Videos

SureFire Ag Unveils the 3rd Generation Model of the QuickDraw 3000

Matt Wolters, marketing manager for SureFire Ag, unveils the 3rd-generation model of the QuickDraw 3000 at the 2019 Farm Progress Show. The system includes carrier blending for 3 products, a 10” screen that’s 6 times brighter than the previous model, iPad app for remote display and remote start batch, and auto batch calculation for easier chemical mixing and loading of the sprayer.

Events

2020 National No-Tillage Conference

Date: 01/07/20

Location: St. Louis, MO

The 28th annual National No-Tillage Conference offers a mix of general sessions, No-Till Classrooms and invaluable No-Till Roundtables. Just as important is the chance to profit from unlimited hallway networking with the most innovative, forward-thinking minds in no-till during next January's event in St. Louis!

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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.

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.

Jack Zemlicka

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