While channel surfing recently, I stopped to watch what is one of many memorable scenes from The Godfather, where a young Michael Corleone insists that his restaurant-revenge plot isn’t a personal vendetta — it’s purely a business decision.
Dealers report exceeding 2017 growth projections and two-thirds project measurable increases in 2018, with one-quarter forecasting jump of at least 8%.
If the ag industry has taught precision farming dealers anything during the last few years, it’s that no longer can they rely on singular sales of hardware and expect to grow business.
A common refrain from dealers who reflect on the hey-day of precision products is that technology tended to sell itself, with little or no assistance needed by salespeople.
The last few years have seen dealers transition service offerings — some with subtle shifts in scope of support options — and others with more dramatic expansions. With a goal of generating more recurring revenue, dealers are also looking to fill service voids for customers.
The last 6 years have seen both subtle and dramatic shifts in dealer priorities with precision business. For the first few years, hardware held a firm grip on the most promising areas for future profit, but there has been a gradual shift in where dealers see their greatest growth potential.
A problem-solving mentality, persistence and patience are service principles Devyn Van Camp brings to the job as Integrated Solutions consultant with Riesterer & Schnell.
Chaos is common during spring planting, and precision farming specialists are tasked with responding to technology emergencies, while also creating valuable in-season touch points with customers.
During the 2018 Precision Farming Dealer Summit in Louisville, 3 precision managers answered real-life question from their dealer peers on if and how each charges for training, along with the best opportunities or obstacles to doing so.
Three farmers and three precision equipment specialists discuss strategies for anticipating service needs, maximizing sales opportunities and avoiding customer conflict.
The business relationship formed between precision farming dealers and farmers can be a complicated one. Farmers have certain expectations and dealers have certain limitations. However, cultivated, well-managed partnerships can be immensely profitable for both parties.
Tech engineering veterans trade cautionary tales and share optimism that the transition to high-speed ISOBUS connectivity can improve applied prescriptions, data logging and cost-effective controls on farm machinery.
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.
There are some aspects of trying to run a successful business that are unique to those of us that are ag retailers vs. those of you that operate as part of an OEM dealership, or a standalone precision business.
Dealers report exceeding 2017 growth projections and two-thirds project measurable increases in 2018, with one-quarter forecasting jump of at least 8%.
If the ag industry has taught precision farming dealers anything during the last few years, it’s that no longer can they rely on singular sales of hardware and expect to grow business.
A common refrain from dealers who reflect on the hey-day of precision products is that technology tended to sell itself, with little or no assistance needed by salespeople.
The last few years have seen dealers transition service offerings — some with subtle shifts in scope of support options — and others with more dramatic expansions. With a goal of generating more recurring revenue, dealers are also looking to fill service voids for customers.
The announcement of a partnership between New Holland and Bluewhite was one of the big precision stories of the summer. West Coast New Holland dealers now have the rights to sell, distribute and service Bluewhite’s aftermarket autonomy kits.
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.