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Ben Thorpe

Ben Thorpe

Ben Thorpe worked with Lessiter Media from 2019 to 2024, working as the Associate Research Editor of Farm Equipment and Ag Equipment Intelligence. He graduated with a writing degree from Carroll University.

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On the Record Podcast

[Podcast] Kubota North America Revenue Hits $8.2 Billion in 2022

By Ben Thorpe posted on February 17, 2023 | Posted in Data & Trends

In this podcast, we discuss the results of Kubota's earnings for 2022 and what percentage of its revenue is coming from North America and its Farm Equipment & Engines segment. In the Technology Corner, Noah Newman reports from the floor of the National Farm Machinery Show on a new announcement from Trimble. Also in this episode, a look at the latest update to the Ag Economy Barometer and the results of the 2023 Rural Lifestyle Dealer Business Outlook & Trends report.


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On the Record

Kubota North America Revenue Hits $8.2 Billion in 2022

By Ben Thorpe posted on February 17, 2023 | Posted in Data & Trends
In this episode of On the Record, we discuss the results of Kubota's earnings for 2022 and what percentage of its revenue is coming from North America and its Farm Equipment & Engines segment. In the Technology Corner, Noah Newman reports from the floor of the National Farm Machinery Show on a new announcement from Trimble. Also in this episode, a look at the latest update to the Ag Economy Barometer and the results of the 2023 Rural Lifestyle Dealer Business Outlook & Trends report. This episode of On the Record is brought to you by BENZI.
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On the Record Podcast

[Podcast] Greeneye Technology Goes Farmer Direct Through FBN

By Ben Thorpe posted on February 3, 2023 | Posted in Data & Trends

In this podcast, we discuss how farmers and dealers view the recently announced collaboration agreement between Farmers Business Network and Greeneye Technology. In the Technology Corner, Noah Newman covers what majorline OEMs had to say about the future of autonomy with dealers at the 2023 Precision Farming Dealer Summit. Also in this episode, a look at CNH Industrial's fourth quarter earnings, the state of dealer M&A activity and Unverferth's acquisition of tillage equipment manufacturer Orthman Manufacturing.


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On the Record

Greeneye Technology Goes Farmer Direct Through FBN

By Ben Thorpe posted on February 3, 2023 | Posted in Data & Trends
In this episode of On the Record, we discuss how farmers and dealers view the recently announced collaboration agreement between Farmers Business Network and Greeneye Technology. In the Technology Corner, Noah Newman covers what majorline OEMs had to say about the future of autonomy with dealers at the 2023 Precision Farming Dealer Summit. Also in this episode, a look at CNH Industrial's fourth quarter earnings, the state of dealer M&A activity and Unverferth's acquisition of tillage equipment manufacturer Orthman Manufacturing. This episode of On the Record is brought to you by BENZI.
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On the Record

Record Net Farm Income Could be Good for Machinery Sales

By Ben Thorpe posted on January 6, 2023 | Posted in Data & Trends
In this episode of On the Record, we take a look at farmer sentiment and how it’s being boosted by their strong 2022 profits. In the Technology Corner, Noah Newman discusses Indianapolis-based agtech company Smart Apply and their Intelligent Spray Control System. We also take a look at John Deere’s production ag equipment backlogs and what it spent on RD in 2022. And finally, dealers are reporting that the rate of used equipment price increases is slowing, though they remain up year-over-year. This episode of On the Record is brought to you by BENZI.
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On the Record Podcast

[Podcast] Record Net Farm Income Could Be Good For Machinery Sales

By Ben Thorpe posted on January 6, 2023 | Posted in Data & Trends
In this podcast we take a look at farmer sentiment and how it’s being boosted by their strong 2022 profits. In the Technology Corner, Noah Newman discusses Indianapolis-based agtech company Smart Apply and their Intelligent Spray Control System. We also take a look at John Deere’s production ag equipment backlogs and what it spent on R&D in 2022. And finally, dealers are reporting that the rate of used equipment price increases is slowing, though they remain up year-over-year.

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On the Record

AGCO WIP Orders Up 5.5% in 2Q 2022

By Kim Schmidt and Ben Thorpe posted on August 5, 2022
In this episode of On the Record, we take a closer look on AGCO’s unfinished inventory, which is the highest it’s been in 2 years. In the technology corner, we take a look at Precision Planting's new tools for automating soil sampling. Also in this episode, the results of a Farm Equipment poll on OEM new equipment lead times and an update on the UAW-CNH strike.
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On the Record

25% of Dealers Don't Expect Inventory Correction for Over 2 Years

By Kim Schmidt and Ben Thorpe posted on July 22, 2022
In this episode of On the Record, Stifel's quarterly dealer survey reveals that while OEM lead times have improved slightly, the majority of dealers still say they are longer than last year. In the Technology Corner we look at AEM's recent white paper that outlines 13 trends that could influence how food is produced — many of which are tied to precision ag technologies. Also in this episode: A closer look at Titan Machinery's acquisition of Heartland Ag Systems, how farmers view shortlines compared to the majors, and a look at the 6-month unit sales report for 100+ horsepower and 4WD tractors.
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On the Record

Used High Horsepower Tractor Prices Continue to Rise

By Kim Schmidt and Ben Thorpe posted on July 8, 2022
In this episode we take a look at how used tractor prices continue to increase while inventories remain low. In the Technology Corner Michaela Paukner breaks down the technology plans for strip-tillers based on Strip-Till Farmers 2022 benchmark study. Also in this episode: NAEDA completes its merger, the forecast for China tractor sales over the next 5 years, Purdue's Farm Capital Investment Index remains at a record low, and we introduce the pilot episode of our new docuseries Stories from Independent Ag Equipment Innovators.
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On the Record

Delivery Delays, Rising Prices Push Dealer Optimism Down Double Digits

By Kim Schmidt and Ben Thorpe posted on June 24, 2022
In this episode of On the Record we take a look at the how dealer optimism has continued to fall, hitting a near record low, in May. In the Technology Corner Michaela Paukner follows up her last segment with a look at AGCO’s tech stack. We also discuss the California’s Occupational Safety & Health Standards Board’s rejection of a petition to amend a 70s era regulation limiting autonomous equipment. Also in this episode a look at Kubota’s dealer development plans and the full-line and tractor manufacturer results of EDA’s dealer manufacturer relations report.
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AGCO Aims for $2 Billion in Precision Ag Business by 2029

AGCO Aims for $2 Billion in Precision Ag Business by 2029

In this episode of On the Record, brought to you by Associated Equipment Distributors, we look at AGCO’s plans for its precision business and its 2029 targets. In the Technology Corner, Noah Newman talks with Eis Implement’s precision team. Also in this episode, the interest savings dealers could see with the latest rate cut by the Fed and a look at the used 100+ horsepower tractor market. 

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