The reason we got into agronomic services 6 years ago was after a good equipment customer of ours made the decision to get into an air drill with variable-rate seeding capability. He’d gone to an independent agronomist who developed a seeding prescription with both a nutrient and seed variation. When that farmer took that prescription, got into the cab and plugged it in as he was told to do, it didn’t work.

Cultivating a successful precision farming department in a farm equipment dealership is a challenge that is as difficult as it is rewarding. Spinning the precision department off into a standalone business takes that challenge to the next level. Five years ago, Jim Straeter, owner of New Holland Rochester in Indiana, did just that. In a panel at the Precision Farming Dealer Summit, Straeter, along with his Precision Ag Manager, Lanty “Spud” Armstrong, shared their journey toward making precision a profitable standalone business.

Alongside the benefits of evolving technology and increasingly in-depth data collection, come increased risks that can create tension between dealers and their customers. To allay potential customer concerns, dealers and manufacturers must answer these questions: Who owns the data? Who can access it today and in the future?

Jason Pennycook, precision specialist at Johnson Tractor (4 stores in Wisconsin and Illinois), says Johnson is still working on the internal management issues, including how service plans are billed, who is responsible and how to get all locations on the same page, as many farmers will use one or more stores. “We’re working on ways to make sure every service manager at every store knows when a farmer is on a service plan so he doesn’t get billed incorrectly.”

Finding the next generation of precision farming specialists is a challenge that almost 40% of dealers reported was among their most important issues in the Precision Farming Dealer 2015 Benchmark Study. First, dealers must identify the traits they’re looking for in potential candidates for their fast-paced, rapidly evolving precision farming departments. Then, they face the challenge of actually finding these recruits.

Choosing a practical entry point into delivery of data management service is a mystery for many farm equipment dealers. Figuring out a method for making it a profitable part of their business is even more of an enigma.

Dr. Tom Krill defines precision farming as a management concept that recognizes variability within the soil environment and maximizes economic agricultural production while minimizing environmental impact for a specific location. And to evaluate it’s effectiveness, precision farming must have measurable objectives.

First-ever Precision Farming Dealer Summit attracts sold out crowd of diverse dealers to share, learn and network.

After more than a decade running a precision farming dealership, Tim Norris shares secrets to his success and lessons learned.