Dealer Panel Will Offer Farm Equipment Industry Insights
Association members who follow industry news undoubtedly have heard discouraging forecasts from the majors for large tractor and combine sales, while at the same time seeing positive sales reports for smaller tractors. USDA projections indicate lower crop prices will continue to cause export values and farm cash receipts to decline through 2016, and values of machinery and motor vehicles to also decrease through 2014. Ag Equipment Intelligence recently reported that farm equipment dealers in the U.S. and Canada are gearing up for a slowdown, and falling prices combined with rising backlog of used ag equipment continue to concern North American dealers.
How can shortliner manufacturers best work with their independent dealers during the current market correction? What issues keep dealers awake at night?
To gain further insights, and perhaps hear some answers, they can attend the Association’s 2014 Fall Convention in Las Vegas and come to the Dealer Panel on Thursday, Nov. 6.
During this panel discussion, industry experts will discuss sales expectations, consolidation, dealer purity, state regulations and, in general, how to improve the important partnership between shortline manufacturers and their independent dealers.
Mike Pearson will serve as moderator. Market to Market viewers will recognize Pearson as the farmer, banker and businessman who became host of the nationally syndicated public television program in 2012, succeeding his father, Mark Pearson, who hosted the program for 20 years. Market to Market, which airs on PBS stations across America, provides expert analysis of major commodity markets, with experienced analysts offering thoughtful insight to price trends, and strategies to help producers and processors cope with changing times.
Serving on the panel will be Mike Lessiter, president of Lessiter Publications, who interacts with dealers on a daily basis as publisher of Farm Equipment magazine and Ag Equipment Intelligence newsletter.
From Town and Country Implement in Rock Valley, IA, Ivan Dorhout also will join the panel. Town and Country has an additional location in Orange City, IA, and carries product lines from over 20 companies, including Case IH, Kubota, New Holland, Demco, Land Pride, Drago Tec, Westendorf, Miller Farm Loaders, MDS and Maurer Products.
Another panelist will be Tom Haley of Haley Equipment, which is based in Carroll, IA, but has a total of three locations. The company carries a full line of New Holland equipment, as well as Sunflower, Landoll, Bush Hog, Cub Cadet, Hiniker, Meyer Spreaders, MacDon, Westendorf and Echo Outdoor Power Equipment.
Herman Wilson of Pioneer Equipment will round out the panel. Pioneer has two locations in California and five locations in Idaho. They, too, represent multiple product lines, including Case IH, Bush Hog, Land Pride, Massey Ferguson, Great Plains, Lemken, Hesston, Parma, Schulte, Kuhn Krause and Krone.
Join us for this timely and important discussion about issues that affect all of us.
For more information about the Fall Convention, including the full schedule, speaker credentials, networking opportunities, the EMDA’s Industry Showcase, joint industry events, and product council meetings, visit FarmEquip.org/FC. S