Finding and retaining precision farming talent has long been a challenge for equipment dealers, as many look to expand or evolve the scope of their business. While recent years have seen a slowdown in hiring plans, dealers are planning to be more aggressive in adding precision specialists during the coming year.

Taking pride in a job well done brings with it a sense of satisfaction and validation that the blood, sweat and tears poured into a task were worth it. In my experience, pride is also born out of passion.

We all know that good help is hard to find. But it’s also hard to keep. This has long been a challenge for dealerships, regardless of size, brand or location.

In this episode of the Precision Farming Dealer podcast, brought to you by Farmers Edge, we welcome Jeremy Wilson, specialist with Crop IMS, and Rich Schlipf, owner of Schlipf Precision Ag, who share their unique understanding of the most important things farmers want from dealers.

Planning for the unexpected comes with the territory for precision specialist. For John Cooper, precision farming manager with Swiderski Equipment, being able to draw on 8 years as a farm equipment mechanic is an asset to overcoming mechanical obstacles encountered during a precision installation.

Precision specialists tend to be busy year-round, but when it comes to training new employees, planting season is often an excellent test of stamina, problem-solving skills and technological aptitude. As the precision farming manager for Swiderski Equipment, John Cooper understands the seasonal rigors of long-hours, increased responsibility and the need for constant communication with new hires.

In this episode of the Precision Farming Dealer podcast, brought to you by Farmers Edge, we welcome Heather Hardy, of H&R Agri-Power, and Scott Meldrum, of Van Wall Equipment, to share their approach to the “soft side” of managing precision specialists, and their advice for working “on” the business instead of battling precision blazes in constant fire-fighting mode.