While navigating this year’s Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa, news broke that the U.S. Department of Justice is seeking to block John Deere’s acquisition of Precision Planting from the Monsanto., the parent company of Climate Corp.

Seeking a solution to a troublesome home improvement project, I recently solicited advice from a variety of “experts” to determine the best course of action. While each source offered a different recommendation, the one I was most confident in deploying was from a company that guaranteed its solution.

As someone who navigates a labyrinth of city streets commuting to and from work each morning and evening, I am always searching for a shortcut. But regardless of the route, I inevitably encounter the traffic signal that slows my pace.

We’ve all been in a situation at a party, conference or even a meeting where we’re asked, “So, what do you do?” It’s the simplest of questions that somehow seems to bring out the most complex of answers.

Until recently, I’d never lived close enough to a Wal-Mart to warrant making regular trips to the consumer giant. There were always enough other local outlets where I could piece together commercial needs or wants. 

Diversification is an en vogue term when it comes to dealers’ approach to developing a broad base of precision farming services. As more look beyond the shelves stocked with technology components to find recurring sources of revenue, agronomic and data management services are highly visible options to build around.