A shutdown at a business management software company locked dealerships out of their digital systems last month
Glacier FarmMedia – Some agricultural equipment dealers’ information management systems were up and running late last week after being out of commission for a week. Brian Osterndorff, chair of the board of the Canadian Equipment Dealers Association and president and chief executive officer of Robert’s Farm Equipment, a seven-store group in Ontario, said June 26 […] Read moreTag Archives John Schmeiser
Cyber attack frustrates equipment dealers
Dealers forced to use manual processes after software provider hacked
Glacier FarmMedia – A cyber attack on a major software provider has made providing parts and service difficult for some agriculture equipment dealers. “This is certainly completely disruptive to our equipment dealers that are using the CDK platform,” said John Schmeiser, president of the North American Equipment Dealers Association, Canada. Tech firm CDK’s software was […] Read more
“Careers in Ag Mobile Skills Lab” to promote industry jobs
Saskatchewan equipment manufacturers receive government funding aimed at finding more workers
Many industry sectors are having trouble finding skilled workers in today’s labour market. Prairie agricultural equipment manufacturers, which are often located in smaller communities, are feeling that pinch as severely as anyone. Related story: Industry sells workers on ag jobs The Agricultural Manufacturers of Canada (AMC), an association representing that industry, has been working on […] Read more
Farmers warned on ‘grey market’ equipment
It might be tempting for Canadian farmers to buy farm machinery from overseas, but the cost of importing them may not offer much value in the long run. Farm equipment designed to be sold in markets outside North America do not meet the same engineering standards required for general use or sale here. “It’s not […] Read more
Equipment manufacturers focus on technology
Major implement companies face high-tech future as they wrestle with automation, autonomy and precision agriculture
Images of autonomous machines working on their own in fields can easily grab the attention of early-adopter producers, especially those facing a labour crunch. They also make impressive headlines and brand announcements. However, even though several concept, prototype and even a few production machines have appeared on the scene, nearly all producers will again still […] Read more
Big iron rakes in big dollars post pandemic
Equipment sales boost largely driven by late deliveries and high commodity prices before they retreated last year
A big boost in four-wheel-drive tractor sales signals that the farm equipment industry is returning to normal, say salespeople and other industry experts. New 4WD unit sales in Canada grew 84.8 per cent year over year in November and 41.5 percent year to date, according to the Association of Equipment Managers. In October, it reported Canadian sales of tractors […] Read more
Where did all the service technicians go?
Scan the website of any agricultural equipment, heavy truck or automotive dealership and you’re likely to find a posting on nearly every one looking to hire a service technician. There just aren’t enough of them go around these days. And ag dealerships are among the hardest hit by that shortage. “Without question, this is one […] Read more
Ottawa, equipment industry clash over right to repair
A recent federal call to formalize producers’ right to repair their own equipment ignores what manufacturers are already doing to boost farmers’ capacity to do so, according to a leader in the North American equipment arena. The federal government is considering an adjustment to the Competition Act that would prevent manufacturers from denying farmers the […] Read more
