Winter 2016

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

From the Virtual Terminal

Data Sharing Continues to be an Acquired Taste

By Jack Zemlicka posted on February 1, 2016 | Posted in Data Management

It’s been a busy few months since our last print edition of this publication, with a flurry of company mergers and acquisitions that will surely influence the depth and delivery of precision farming product and services by dealers.
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Fourth Annual Precision Awards Program Honors Top North American Dealer

Hoober Inc. is Precision Farming Dealer’s Most Valuable Dealership for 2016.

By Jack Zemlicka posted on February 1, 2016 | Posted in Precision Agriculture 101, Dealer Development

The 2016 recipient of Precision Farming Dealer’s fourth annual Most Valuable Dealership is Hoober Inc. based in Intercourse, Pa.
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Most Valuable Dealership 2016

Building a Profitable Precision Business on the Cornerstones of Service & Stability

An innovative and dedicated precision farming team provides the foundation for Hoober Inc. to expand its diverse dealership.

By Jack Zemlicka posted on February 1, 2016 | Posted in Precision Agriculture 101, Dealer Development

Accepting precision farming as a necessary evil is an approach that some farm equipment dealers take to justify their investment in a business they perceive to be only a complement to machinery sales.
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Growing RTK Network Provides Recurring Revenue

By Jack Zemlicka posted on January 29, 2016 | Posted in Service & Support

While RTK correction services aren’t new to precision farming, Hoober Inc. has aggressively expanded its cellular network since 2009. Initially, the dealership test marketed a handful of pilot systems with progressive customers and today, has more than 200 active subscribers in 13 states.
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What Others Say About Hoober Inc.

By Jack Zemlicka posted on February 1, 2016 | Posted in Dealer Development

Precision Farming Dealer interviewed Travis Green, Ag Leader northeast territory manager, Randy Davis, CNH Industrial precision field specialist and Stephen Mount, Capstan field marketing representative, to get their personal and professional observations on the 2016 Most Valuable Dealership, Hoober Inc.
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Taking Precision Training on the Road

By Jaime Elftman posted on February 1, 2016 | Posted in Service & Support

For 9-store Case IH farm equipment dealer Hoober Inc., keeping customers up to date on the training necessary to use their current precision equipment and learn about new technology is an on-going process.
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Day in the Cab

Maximizing a Diverse Skillset to Provide Comprehensive Service

A passion for precision and a love of farming motivate Johnson Tractor’s Jason Pennycook to deliver personal, progressive service to customers.

By Jack Zemlicka posted on February 1, 2016 | Posted in Dealer Development, Service & Support

A passion for precision and a love of farming motivate Johnson Tractor’s Jason Pennycook to deliver personal, progressive service to customers.
Read More

Diverse Dealers Gather for Profitable Precision Strategies

First ever Precision Farming Dealer Summit draws sold out crowd in January.

February 1, 2016 | Posted in Dealer Development

Tracking employee ROI, measuring the value of agronomic service offerings and strategizing on how to attract the next generation of precision specialists were conversational threads woven into the discussion at the first-ever Precision Farming Dealer Summit.
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Bridging the Precision Gap

Transitioning from Hardware Sales to Agronomic & Data Management Service

With more machinery coming equipped with technology from the factory, these three farm equipment dealers sought to evolve their precision business to include more sustainable revenue sources.

By Ian Gronau posted on February 1, 2016 | Posted in Data Management

Introducing a new business plan into an established model can be complicated, risky and expensive. The direction precision farming business is evolving toward, however, is presenting farm equipment dealerships with a chance to innovate and diversify offerings with agronomic and data management services.
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Roundtable Q&A

What Types of Precision Training Do You Require for Employees?

Despite the decline in large farm equipment sales, the four precision ag dealers Precision Farming Dealer interviewed are still optimistic for the year to come. They discussed their dealerships’ training programs, how they’re creating a balance between hardware sales and service and what they expect to be the greatest opportunities for increased revenue in the year ahead, as well as any barriers that may stand in the way.

By Jaime Elftman posted on February 1, 2016 | Posted in Precision Sales, Service & Support

What types of precision training or education does your dealership require for employees and in which areas is training/education most lacking?
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Roundtable Q&A

How Are You Working Toward Creating a Balance Between Service and Hardware Sales?

Despite the decline in large farm equipment sales, the four precision ag dealers Precision Farming Dealer interviewed are still optimistic for the year to come. They discussed their dealerships’ training programs, how they’re creating a balance between hardware sales and service and what they expect to be the greatest opportunities for increased revenue in the year ahead, as well as any barriers that may stand in the way.

By Jaime Elftman posted on February 12, 2016 | Posted in Precision Sales, Service & Support

How is your dealership working toward creating a sustainable balance between precision service revenue and hardware sales?
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Roundtable Q&A

What Areas Hold the Most Promise to Increase Revenue in the Coming Year?

Despite the decline in large farm equipment sales, the four precision ag dealers Precision Farming Dealer interviewed are still optimistic for the year to come. They discussed their dealerships’ training programs, how they’re creating a balance between hardware sales and service and what they expect to be the greatest opportunities for increased revenue in the year ahead, as well as any barriers that may stand in the way.

By Jaime Elftman posted on February 12, 2016 | Posted in Precision Sales, Service & Support

What areas of precision hold the most promise to increase revenue in the coming year and what obstacles present the greatest barriers?
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Your Customer Update

Sky’s the Limit on Uses, Payback with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

High-resolution imagery and data analysis contributed to a $20 per acre profit and timely fertilizer applications for strip-tillers Eric and Megan Wallendal.

By Jack Zemlicka posted on February 1, 2016 | Posted in Data Management, Autonomy & Robotics

The motor begins to hum and the propellers begin their increasingly rapid revolutions. A gentle upward tilt of the joystick by the owner and the rotocopter is airborne — slowly elevating as it drifts over a cornfield to capture hundreds of images that will be processed and analyzed.
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Measuring the Practical Payback from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

December 22, 2015 | Posted in Autonomy & Robotics

During the last year, Grand Marsh, Wis., strip-tillers Eric and Megan Wallendal have researched and experimented with use of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle system, primarily to track and treat in-season nutrient deficiencies. They share their lessons learned and return on investment with the system.
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Precision Perspective

Bringing Home Souvenirs of Potential from Overseas

By Delmna Heiken and Brent Heiken posted on February 1, 2016 | Posted in Dealer Development

Keeping up on trends in agriculture is a goal for most dealers and farmers, and it may be even more important for those heavily involved in precision agriculture. Keeping this in mind, my business partner and son, Brent, and I were able to visit Europe this past fall.
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Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Fourth Annual Precision Awards Program Honors Top North American Dealer

Hoober Inc. is Precision Farming Dealer’s Most Valuable Dealership for 2016.

By Jack Zemlicka posted on February 1, 2016 | Posted in Precision Agriculture 101, Dealer Development

The 2016 recipient of Precision Farming Dealer’s fourth annual Most Valuable Dealership is Hoober Inc. based in Intercourse, Pa.
Read More

Diverse Dealers Gather for Profitable Precision Strategies

First ever Precision Farming Dealer Summit draws sold out crowd in January.

February 1, 2016 | Posted in Dealer Development

Tracking employee ROI, measuring the value of agronomic service offerings and strategizing on how to attract the next generation of precision specialists were conversational threads woven into the discussion at the first-ever Precision Farming Dealer Summit.
Read More

Day in the Cab

Maximizing a Diverse Skillset to Provide Comprehensive Service

A passion for precision and a love of farming motivate Johnson Tractor’s Jason Pennycook to deliver personal, progressive service to customers.

By Jack Zemlicka posted on February 1, 2016 | Posted in Dealer Development, Service & Support

A passion for precision and a love of farming motivate Johnson Tractor’s Jason Pennycook to deliver personal, progressive service to customers.
Read More
Digital Edition

Digital Edition

2016 Winter Digital Edition of Precision Farming Dealer

February 1, 2016

Read flipbook version
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Online Extras

Online Extras

2016 Most Valuable Dealership Videos

February 17, 2017

The 2016 recipient of Precision Farming Dealer’s third annual Most Valuable Dealership is Hoober Inc. based in Intercourse, Pa.
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The Value of Mobile Precision Training for Farm Customers

October 7, 2015 | Posted in Dealer Development, Service & Support

Marc Yoder, Regional Director of Precision Ag for Hoober Inc., provides an overview of the dealership's mobile training trailer and discusses some of the benefits of the unique precision farming customer touchpoint.
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Taking Precision Training on the Road

By Jaime Elftman posted on February 1, 2016 | Posted in Service & Support

For 9-store Case IH farm equipment dealer Hoober Inc., keeping customers up to date on the training necessary to use their current precision equipment and learn about new technology is an on-going process.
Read More

Day in the Cab Video Series: Johnson Tractor

By Jack Zemlicka posted on February 17, 2017

The ability to relate to farm customers, understand their concerns, patiently solve their problems and even share in their frustrations are traits that define a successful precision farming dealer. Riding along with Jason Pennycook, precision farming specialist with Johnson Tractor, it didn’t take long to realize he embodies the qualities and character of someone born to work in agriculture.
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[Webinar] Bridging the Precision Gap: Integrating Agronomic Service for Profit

By Jack Zemlicka posted on February 25, 2016 | Posted in Dealer Development

During this webinar, Devin Dubois, vice president of integrated solutions at Western Sales in Rosetown, Sask., details the implementation, challenges and results of adding agronomic service to Western Sales' precision business, as well as key considerations for dealers looking at adding agronomic service. [To view any of our webinar replays, you must be logged in with a free user account.]
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Measuring the Practical Payback from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

December 22, 2015 | Posted in Autonomy & Robotics

During the last year, Grand Marsh, Wis., strip-tillers Eric and Megan Wallendal have researched and experimented with use of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle system, primarily to track and treat in-season nutrient deficiencies. They share their lessons learned and return on investment with the system.
Read More