As farm equipment continues to become more automated, tracking up- and downtime to the hour — especially with leased machinery — can have a significant economic impact. For ag input retailers that offer custom application services and lease fleets of sprayers, spreaders and floaters, the ability to monitor machine hours, fuel costs and labor time allows for an accurate analysis of return on investment.

Universities and colleges have had to rethink and revise the way they educate students and this is particularly true for precision ag undergraduates accustomed to hands-on, in-field learning.

Precision Farming Dealer assembled a geographically diverse group of 8 different precision farming managers to discuss their involvement and interaction in a virtual peer group to exchange ideas, problem-solve and provide a source of professional therapy.

Problem solving is often the linchpin of a dealership’s precision farming business. The last couple of years have tested the abilities of precision teams to overcome ongoing economic — and more recently — social challenges to maintain, if not grow revenue.

Based on my conversations with dealers during the last few months, some have learned hard economic lessons due to an inability or unwillingness to arm themselves with the tools, training or talent to change with the times.

The results of the eighth annual Precision Farming Dealer benchmark study — with contributions from dozens of farm equipment dealers, input retailers and independent precision companies — trend toward a conservative reality and a cautious outlook for the majority of respondents.

Strip-till farmers have typically been among the most progressive adopters of precision technology, embracing tools including variable-rate seeding, implement guidance and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Trial by fire. Thrown to the wolves. Learn by doing. All phrases that are used when describing how new precision farming hires often start their career at dealerships.