Beyond the Hood with Tractor Zoom

Andy Campbell, Tractor Zoom Director of Insights, breaks down the latest equipment market trends, focusing especially on the tractor market, using valuation from Tractor Zoom Pro’s database.

A fifth-generation farmer from Tekama, Nebraska, Quentin Connealy (who also goes by “Q Connealy” on his social media channels) talks with Andy Campbell about his farming operation and the importance of building strong relationships with dealers. Stressing the value of dealers having in-depth knowledge of a farmer's specific operation and equipment needs, he also addresses related factors that make a dealership great, such as providing education on new farming technologies, alerts for available equipment, maintenance and repair services, precision training and advice, competitive financing options, and exceptional customer service. Listen to his experiences and insights in this episode.

Andy breaks down the latest equipment market trends on several categories of equipment, including combines, row crop tractors, headers, and sprayers, using valuation from Tractor Zoom Pro’s database.

Andy Campbell and Brady Brewer, Associate Professor for Agricultural Economics at Kansas State University, discuss the role of non-traditional lenders in providing capital to farmers and the potential risks associated with elevated interest rates. Brady discusses his background in agriculture and finance, as well as the impact of interest rates on the farming industry and the factors that influence interest rates, such as inflation and housing starts. He provides insights into the future of interest rates and emphasizes the importance of strategic equipment purchases.

Leo Johnson, former owner of Johnson Tractor and current consultant for the Machinery Advisors Consortium (MAC), discusses dealership growth via acquisitions and the process of succession planning. He discusses the risks involved in growth, the need for strong processes and systems, and the significance of developing relationships with both employees and customers.

Andy welcomes Jim Rothermich, a seasoned and certified real estate appraiser with deep roots in agriculture, as this episode's Beyond the Hood guest. Jim shares his journey from growing up on a farm in Missouri to becoming an agricultural and commercial appraiser in Iowa. The conversation digs into the historical and current trends in land and machinery prices, emphasizing how both markets often move in tandem due to their capital-intensive nature.

Scott Waggoner of Van Wall Equipment and Taylor Kraayenbrink of Vesel Technology discuss trends and challenges in talent acquisition in the dealership industry. They emphasize the importance of building relationships with candidates and providing a great candidate experience throughout the hiring process. They also highlight the need for dealerships to have a clear strategy for talent acquisition that aligns with their overall business goals. Listen to learn more.

Andy Campbell interviews Duane Kautzman, Senior Strategy Manager at Tractor Zoom. They discuss strategies, technology, and the outlook for equipment dealerships in 2024. Kautzman emphasizes the importance of managing sales activity and inventory aggressively, especially given the challenging commodity markets and financial constraints faced by farmers. He highlights the necessity for dealerships to use CRM systems to track and enhance sales activities, ensuring consistent customer engagement and inventory turnover.

In this conversation, J.D. Marbury of Tennessee Tractor discusses the export market for cotton pickers, how the dealership expanded to 10 stores, the importance of diversification, and his insights into exporting to different countries, including China, Australia, and South America.

Jason Hoult, Anvil Pro founder, talks with Andy Campbell about his background and journey from farm to dealership to creating tech solutions for the equipment industry. They discuss digital transformation, technology, and the challenges faced by dealerships today.