Taking a break from the rigors of round-robin compatibility testing at the Agricultural Electronics Foundation (AEF) Plugfest in Lincoln, Neb., this spring (also referred to fondly as “speed dating for ag nerds” by one attendee), AGCO software engineer Mike Schmidt and Dave Smart, staff systems engineer for John Deere and team leader for AEF’s high-speed ISOBUS Project, discussed the progression of compatibility over the years through AEF conformance testing, the simplification of equipment connectivity for farmers of all brands and expectations for ag functionality with high-speed ISOBUS network capabilities on the horizon.

Ag engineers continue to advance equipment compatibility, while also seeking quicker connections and mobile database accessibility for dealers.

During my visit to the Lincoln, Neb., area last week I stopped at Nebraska Equipment, a single-store Case IH dealer in Seward, with a growing focus into their precision farming department.

The shifting nature of precision farming demands a foundation for employee commitment, yet the unique structure of any given dealership eliminates the possibility for any universal blueprint. Rarely does the perfect formula come from direct replication or an unhinged maverick move, but the best plans often fall somewhere in between.

In 2016, the Equipment Dealers Assn. (EDA) released a revised Compensation & Benefits Report to include wage data pertaining to office staff, parts, service and sales departments. Included are descriptions for over 30 jobs and bonus structures, data categorized by dealer revenues and more.

At InfoAg 2017 in St. Louis, finding effective and lucrative avenues for billing precision support and streamlining delivery of data management services, were among the trending topics discussed by dealer attendees and speakers during the 3-day event.