Machinery Pete Podcast

Morton Buildings Repairs & Renovations Revisit

Machinery Pete — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 12:06:45 -0500

Machinery Pete welcomes back guest Jeremiah Fairbanks, General Mgr. of Morton Buildings Repairs & Renovations Division. Tremendous growth in this unique Division of Morton Buildings, a storied company with roots to rural fencing 122 Years ago in 1903. Machinery Pete even suggests a unique Christmas gift idea for farms that have everything

Machinery Pete Mid Summer ’25 Used Market Update + Jack Lyon Heavy Equipment Market Update

Machinery Pete — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 13:32:50 -0500

Machinery Pete highlights the latest data trends on used farm equipment values through the month of July ’25, referencing a number of high interest auctions around the country. Pete also highlights an upcoming farm auction August 11, 2025 in Bronson, IA featuring the most extensive line of Versatile Tractors he’s seen on a farm sale. Pete also brings in guest Jack Lyon with Alex Lyon & Son to discuss the latest trends with auction sale pricing and buyer demand on the heavy equipment side. Jack also relays a special visit he made in July to Camp Simcha where 500 seriously ill children are treated to unforgettable, medically supervised overnight camp for children battling cancer

June Auction Talk

Machinery Pete — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 09:07:28 -0500

Machinery Pete spotlights pair of upcoming farm auctions, June 21 in Lime Springs, IA and June 26 in Merrill, IA featuring extremely nice low hour equipment line ups. Pete also recalls June Auction memories of one of the most memorable sales he's ever covered, a June 28, 2014 collector auction in Bedford, IA featuring amazing vintage Allis Chalmers and John Deere tractors. Pete also has monthly update chat with Jack Lyon of Alex Lyon & Son Auction in Bridgeport, NY on latest in the heavy equipment auction world

Girard Auction - Leaders in Farm Toy/Pedal Tractor Auctions

Machinery Pete — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 14:56:37 -0500

Machinery Pete conversation with Ken Girard with Girard Auction & Land Brokers of Wakonda, SD about how he has built the auction company his late father Marv Girard started 55 Years ago in 1970 into a worldwide leading auction firm for Farm Toys, Pedal Tractors and Farm Memorabilia. Pete and Ken highlight the upcoming Jay Eudy Collector Estate Auction coming up Saturday, May 3 in Wakonda, SD featuring 100 Pedal Tractors and 200+ Farm Toys. Fascinating story about Jay Eudy and his connection to the Ag world

Used Equipment Market Update Early April ’25 + Jack Lyon Interview

Machinery Pete — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 13:42:20 -0500

Machinery Pete talks through update on current used farm equipment market with lot of eye opening fresh examples from the auction front. Early ’25 has provided a very surprising market adjustment. Pete also gets monthly update from Jack Lyon with Alex Lyon & Son Auctions, largest family owned auction company in the world, on very latest in the used construction equipment market

The Ned Garver Story - Farm Boy From Ney, OH - 1950's Major League Baseball Star

Machinery Pete — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 12:15:25 -0500

With the 2025 Major League Baseball season kicking off this week Machinery Pete shares the very timely tale from 70+ years ago of a young farm boy from Ney, OH who went on to become a Major League Baseball star, winning 20 Games as a pitcher for the 1951 St. Louis Browns who lost 102 games that year. After his baseball career Garver returned to Ney, OH and lived a quiet yet very involved life in his hometown. Story told by Dean Jackson who became a lifelong friend of Garver Greg.

Micheal Oliver - Wildcat Chevrolet - Cadiz, KY

Machinery Pete — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 11:54:22 -0500

Machinery Pete heads to Cadiz, KY to talk with Micheal Oliver of Wlidcat Chevrolet. Micheal is a former John Deere dealer that transferred over to the automobile industry.

If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to the Machinery Pete Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts. It helps others find the show.

Story of Kerr Auction/Kerr Equipment of Mt. Sterling, IL – Amazing Growth!

Machinery Pete — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 09:38:22 -0600

Machinery Pete provides his take on the used equipment market at the end of 2024 and into early 2025 to open this episode. He then welcomes in feature guests Alex and Gina Kerr with Kerr Equipment/Kerr Auction of Mt. Sterling, IL. The Kerrs’ 12 year old daughter Kay Kerr joins the conversation. Alex and Gina started Kerr Auction mid ‘24 and have already grown it exponentially to a three-state footprint with the original site in Mt. Sterling, IL as well as Alma Center, WI and Torrington, WY. Kerr Auction is also planning expansion into Pennsylvania. The Kerrs are passionate about farming, farm equipment and the auction biz. www.KerrAuction.com www.KerrEQ.com

[:34] - Machinery Pete gives a market update for the last two months of 2024
[9:30] - Pete recaps his travels to November and December auctions
[25:05] - Interview with Alex, Gina and Kay Kerr begins
[30:38] - On the Kerrs’ backgrounds and how they started their business
[41:11] - How auctions can be a whirlwind and remembering that it’s ok to ask for help
[50:35] - Upcoming Kerr auctions
[59:50] - Driving force behind starting their auction business
[1:09:10] - Kay’s favorite tractor
[1:15:50] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Machinery Pete was founded in 1989 and has grown from humble beginnings to a full-fledged marketplace for farming equipment. Greg Peterson, founder, and host, has also released Machinery Pete content across platforms including YouTube with his long-running Machinery Pete TV show.

Neeralta Manufacturing – Grain Bagging System - Power of Listening To Your Farmer Customers

Machinery Pete — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 16:08:22 -0500

Machinery Pete talks about the power of listening and how it helped him both on a personal development level and also as a business building tool over the past 34 years. Pete’s podcast guest, Rob Wierenga, partner with Neeralta Mfg. of Alberta, Canada also touches on how important listening to their farmer customers has been a vital component in building out the state of the art line of grain bagging/extracting equipment they provide, including grain bag loaders and grain bag extractors. Neeralta Mfg. company roots go back 40 Years to 1984.

[:34] - Machinery Pete reflects on his trip to his high school reunion and previews the episode’s guest
[9:58] - Interview with Rob Wierenga begins, history of Neeralta
[11:52] - About the Neeralta grain bagging system
[17:45] - Key to success of Neeralta: solution-based
[23:56] - Grain bagging trends
[28:58] - Unique innovations of Neeralta system
[34:46] - Customer feedback
[44:49] - Why Neeralta continues to grow
[47:45] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Jake Bryce – Co-Founder of Machinery Scope

Machinery Pete — Fri, 24 May 2024 10:15:10 -0500

Machinery Pete talks with Jake Bryce, Co-Founder of Machinery Scope (www.MachineryScope.com) in Alexandria, MN about the new partnership between Machinery Pete and Machinery Scope and also about Machinery Scope’s growth over the past 11 years since founding in 2013. Family owned business. Bryce brings his deep farming roots along with extensive experience on the farm equipment dealer side to bear in creating needed extended warranty options via Machinery Scope for dealers and farmers. Pete and Jake also talk in depth about the current used farm equipment market.

[:35] - Machinery Pete previews today’s guest
[3:56] - Interview with Jake Bryce begins
[6:07] - Jake shares his farming background and about his years working on the dealer side
[8:35] - Jake explains the new partnership with Machinery Pete and how Machinery Scope works
[13:45] - Why risk management is important for equipment
[18:38] - Analysis and trends of the used equipment and auction markets
[24:00] - The value of having a warranty
[30:45] - How will the rest of 2024 play out?
[40:15] - Challenges of rising costs and high interest rates
[55:28] - Well-kept machinery sells best
[1:06:18] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Machinery Pete was founded in 1989 and has grown from its humble beginnings to a full-fledged marketplace for farming equipment. Greg Peterson, founder and host, has also released Machinery Pete content across platforms including YouTube with his long-running Machinery Pete TV show.

If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to the Machinery Pete Podcast in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts. It really helps others find the show.

Kansas Farmer to Nationwide Restauranteur – Jason Ingermanson of Solomon, KS

Machinery Pete — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 17:13:39 -0500

Machinery Pete chats with Jason Ingermanson of Solomon, KS whose beautiful line of farm equipment, including a ’22 John Deere X9 1100 combine with only 107 sep. hours, is selling on March 20, 2024 online auction by www.PurpleWave.com. Beyond the auction, we learn of the amazing growing restaurant biz Ingermanson has built since 2011, with 100 locations in 15 states with 3 strong growing brands. We also learn about how Ingermanson is giving back in a HUGE way with a program in cooperation with Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, KS, aimed at helping motivated young people gain an actual vibrant entry way into a career farming.

[:34] - Machinery Pete previews today’s guest
[5:25] - Interview with Jason Ingermanson begins
[6:05] - Jason’s items in March 20th sale, how he’s maintained his machinery
[14:30] - Growing up and why Jason wanted to become a farmer
[20:20] - How Jason got into the restaurant business
[33:30] - Philosophy and process of running successful restaurants
[39:07] - Advice to young people
[47:48] - Initiatives to get young people into farming
[1:00:30] - How to get in touch with Jason, final remarks
[1:08:08] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Rodney Miller – Founder/Host of “Small Town Big Deal” TV Show and Big IHC Collector

Machinery Pete — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 10:17:14 -0600

Machinery Pete chats with Rodney Miller, host of the well-loved TV show “Small Town Big Deal” on RFD-TV and 300 other TV stations across the country. Rodney has deep farming and farm equipment roots, being from Benton, IL where he still has a farming operation. He was also a force behind the growth of Montana Tractors from $3M in annual revenue to $80M+ back in the day, before moving on to CEO position with McCormick. Rodney is a huge IHC tractor and equipment collector and shares many wonderful stories with Pete on all things Red equipment, including a Fire Truck that was actually at Ground Zero on 9/11.

[:34] - Machinery Pete’s gives background on today’s guest
[5:31] - Interview with Rodney Miller begins
[11:46] - About Rodney’s show “Small Town Big Deal”
[22:11] - The first episode, importance of telling stories of veterans
[26:15] - Positivity in media
[31:56] - Rodney’s tractor collection
[45:09] - Growing up in Benton, IL, farm roots
[1:14:02] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Conversation with Aaron McKee – Founder/CEO Purplewave.com

Machinery Pete — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 15:23:37 -0600

Machinery Pete talks fast-moving changes in the auction industry with recent notable consolidations and rapid technological advances. Pete chats with Aaron McKee, Founder/CEO of Purplewave.com, a long time leader in the online only auction space, about their big news last month (Oct. ’23) of a new partnership with Copart, Inc., a worldwide leader in the online auto auction space.

[:35] - Machinery Pete’s talks consolidation
[11:06] - Interview with Aaron McKee begins
[11:45] - Purple Wave and CoPart’s partnership
[15:25] - Finding the right sellers to work with
[20:24] - Early days of Purple Wave
[26:03] - Why Purple Wave believes in no-reserve auctions
[34:27] - Helping people make big decisions
[47:09] - How Aaron got into the auction business
[59:04] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Tractor Collector Market Trends with Kurt Aumann

Machinery Pete — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 10:58:03 -0500

Machinery Pete catches up with Kurt Aumann, owner of Aumann Vintage Power in Nokomis, IL. Kurt has been one of the foremost auctioneers in the vintage tractor, farm memorabilia, pedal tractors, toy tractors and farm signs space for decades. Kurt and Pete talk about Aumann Vintage Power 5-Day Annual Fall Auction Oct. 22-26 plus the 14 collector auctions they have coming up Oct. 27 – Dec. 3, 2023.

[:40] - Machinery Pete’s intro, latest market update
[5:48] - Interview with Kurt Aumann begins
[10:00] - About the items in the sale
[14:56] - Connecting with people and adapting to online-only auctions
[19:09] - What is the rarest tractor Kurt has seen?
[29:35] - State of collector market
[38:00] - Connection between farmer & tractor
[50:34] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Black Star – New Way to Sell, Find and Appraise Heavy Equipment

Machinery Pete — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 09:57:19 -0500

Machinery Pete talks about the heavy construction equipment market with Andrew and Mike LeMaster with Black Star, an emerging company with a growing footprint across the U.S. helping folks sell, find and appraise all types of heavy construction equipment. The company aims for a more personal touch in the buying/selling process and utilizes innovative new means to get the word out on their current $27M of heavy equipment listings for sale. www.blackstaraca.com

[:40] - Machinery Pete’s intro, setting up today’s topic
[3:22] - Interview with Anndrew and Mike LeMaster begins
[8:25] - Black Star’s footprint & knowledgeable team
[13:59] - Equipment catalog
[19:30] - What does a piece of equipment mean to that owner?
[25:00] - Working analytically post-pandemic
[31:15] - What equipment is in demand in 2023?
[37:17] - Items currently for sale
[43:14] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Morton Buildings – Repair & Renovation with Jeremiah Fairbanks

Machinery Pete — Fri, 02 Jun 2023 10:45:04 -0500

Antique tractors aren’t the only thing being restored on the farm today. Machinery Pete talks with Jeremiah Fairbanks, General Manager of Repair & Renovation with Morton Buildings about the company’s storied 120-year history dating back to 1903, how it transitioned a few years to a 100% employee-owned company and specifically about the company’s strong and growing focus on the Repair & Renovation aspect of its business.

[:40] - Machinery Pete’s intro, equipment market update
[4:25] - How a LinkedIn message led to this episode’s conversation
[5:44] - Interview with Jeremiah Fairbanks begins
[8:13] - Repair/renovation process, history of Morton Buildings
[16:43] - Jeremiah’s construction background
[20:13] - Why people renovate and how the process works
[27:18] - Building trends, supply chain challenges
[35:25] - Student opportunities with Morton Buildings
[40:28] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Jess Settles – Winfield, IA Farmer and College Basketball Legend

Machinery Pete — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 15:53:23 -0500

With March Madness coming to a head with the NCAA Final Four this week, Machinery Pete talks with Jess Settles – farmer from Winfield, IA and Iowa Hawkeye basketball legend, also TV college basketball analyst on ESPN, Big Ten Network and Fox Sports. Settles talks about growing up on the farm in Winfield, IA, his family’s deep farming roots, his basketball journey that carried him to the University of Iowa and star status in the mid 1990’s. After his playing days ended, Settles transitioned to TV work. Farming and basketball stories and memories flow in this Pete and Jess conversation.

[:35] - Machinery Pete’s intro, equipment market update
[5:33] - Interview with Jess Settles begins
[8:10] - Jess’s early Iowa days, growing up on the farm
[16:26] - Graduation from high school, college basketball career
[25:40] - Battling injuries
[32:02] - Post career days; coaching and TV
[40:18] - Modern basketball
[50:13] - New strategies in farming and basketball
[1:01:30] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Machinery Pete Advice to Young Farmers + News of New Auction Company – Merit Auctions

Machinery Pete — Tue, 21 Feb 2023 11:25:40 -0600

Machinery Pete looks back over his 33+ year career and pulls together his best tips and advice to young farmers. Pete also talks with Zach Hiner, Jim Huff and John Probasco with the new auction firm Merit Auctions of Fort Madison, IA. Hiner, Huff and Probasco have over 100 years experience in the auction biz. They already have 10 auctions on the books, including a huge Feb. 28, 2023 online sale for Ag Pro, a large John Deere dealer in Ohio, Georgia and the southeast U.S.

[:40] - Machinery Pete’s intro, episode topics
[3:20] - Equipment market update
[6:23] - Recent auction recaps
[11:55] - Advice for young farmers: theory of opposites, eye contact
[29:44] - Buying opportunity in tough market, Rule of 12
[38:25] - Interview with Zach, Jim and John begins
[42:53] - Upcoming sale closing Feb. 28
[51:33] - Market advice from the Zach, Jim and John
[1:06] - Final words from Machinery Pete

North Prairie Butchery in Faulkton, SD – The Dream Becoming Reality

Machinery Pete — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 13:19:32 -0600

The story of North Prairie Butchery in Faulkton, SD, the dream project coming into reality of Troy Hadrick, a 5th generation cattle rancher in northeast South Dakota. Hadrick recently received a $2.2M grant from the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program to build a 25/day head beef/pork/bison processing facility in Faulkton, SD to help expand our country’s pinched meat and poultry processing capacity and increase diversity in our nation’s food supply chain. Momentum is building quickly for the needed project.

[:35] - Machinery Pete’s intro, teeing up today’s interview
[3:42] - Interview with Troy begins
[4:23] - Troy’s project overview, expanding on his ranching business
[12:45] - Project timeline from construction to production
[17:23] - Faulkton, SD - a forward thinking community
[20:19] - Creating jobs, retail impact, customer feedback
[29:30] - Grant award process
[34:12] - Troy’s insight on the bison market
[36:06] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Gary & Julie Peterson of Beresford, SD Reflect on Farming Career and Upcoming Auction Nov. 26

Machinery Pete — Fri, 04 Nov 2022 10:27:08 -0500

Machinery Pete visits with Gary and Julie Peterson in their farm shop in Beresford, SD in advance of their upcoming, highly-anticipated John Deere collector tractor auction November 26, 2022 in Lennox, SD by Westra Auction Land & Realty featuring the Peterson’s (6) rare open station 40 and 50 Series John Deere tractors. Gary and Julie share the story of their farming career and talk about how their tractor collecting got started, what drove it and how they are feeling as sale day approaches.

[:34] - Machinery Pete’s intro, latest auction prices
[4:45] - Previewing the Petersons’ auction
[10:14] - Conversation with Gary and Julie begins
[13:30] - How Gary and Julie met, growing up on family farms
[17:55] - Farming life in the 1980s
[20:24] - Advice for young farmers
[26:15] - Gary’s retirement and getting into collecting
[30:18] - Beginnings of the collection, what’s for sale and emotions of selling
[37:43] - Final words from Machinery Pete

TheAirSeederChick – Devin Marcin with Quality Drills

Machinery Pete — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 10:17:02 -0500

Machinery Pete conversation with Devin Marcin, Operations Mgr. with Quality Drills in Windsor, Colorado. Devin is known as “TheAirSeederChick” on Instagram. Marcin tells of her journey from growing up in the non-ag world of suburban Denver, CO into the hands dirty world of customizing and optimizing farmer’s used John Deere air seeders and planters throughout the U.S., Canada, even down under to Australia with Quality Drills. (www.qualitydrills.com)

[:34] - Machinery Pete’s intro
[7:08] - Conversation with Devin Marcin begins
[12:01] - What Quality Drills does
[16:58] - Traveling far and wide
[26:29] - Devin’s early years and how she got into ag
[34:28] - How Devin grew on social media
[39:20] - What’s the current vibe at farm shows?
[42:44] - Final words from Machinery Pete

When Will The Other Shoe Drop? Machinery Pete on Future of Used Farm Equipment Values

Machinery Pete — Tue, 06 Sep 2022 15:02:41 -0500

Machinery Pete has been asked a growing number of times throughout 2022, “Pete, when will the other shoe drop with used equipment values and how far will they fall?” Pete tackles this question head-on diving deep into multiple sources of market data and relevant anecdotal stories and comes out with an answer that will surprise many if not most in the ag space.

[1:11] - Machinery Pete’s intro - “When will the next shoe drop?”
[3:55] - Iowa farmers sell Peterbilts for more than what they paid new
[8:01] - Ritter Cox anecdote on equipment wait times, high prices
[10:58] - The shoe can’t drop - times are different now
[17:31] - Larger dealerships’ approach to the market
[20:01] - The pandemic’s impact on the ag equipment market
[23:20] - What’s ahead with this market and what should the farmer do?
[35:27] - Record prices of the last two months
[46:52] - Final words from Machinery Pete

BigIron and Sullivan Auctioneers Combine Forces in Monster Deal This Week

Machinery Pete — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 15:30:10 -0500

Machinery Pete talks with guests Mark Stock of BigIron.com and Dan Sullivan with Sullivan Auctioneers about the mega deal announced this week that saw BigIron acquire Sullivan Auctioneers. The two dominant online auction companies in the farm machinery/land space combine forces looking to better serve their sellers with an even greater reach.

[:23] - Machinery Pete’s intro - celebrating anniversaries and the BigIron/Sullivan deal
[4:09] - Conversation with Mark Stock and Dan Sullivan begins
[5:11] - Mark shares how the deal came together
[7:28] - Dan’s excitement about the partnership
[15:00] - Mark and Dan on serving sellers and adapting to changes in the ag industry
[18:47] - Structure of the partnership
[38:43] - Looking ahead to the future
[41:34] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Missouri Farmer Selling (5) IHC 2+2 Tractors on Machinery Pete July 19 Online Auction – Including 1st 6788 made!

Machinery Pete — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 11:36:57 -0500

Gary Perkins of Green City, MO is selling (6) IHC/Farmall Tractors on July 19 Machinery Pete Monthly Online Auction, including (5) more rare “2+2” models, one of which is the very 1st IHC 6788 ever made, a 1981 model with only 2,657 actual hours on it. Pete interviews Gary about his amazing 6788 and also his IHC 6588, 3788, pair of 6388’s and his 1955 Farmall 300, all selling on the July 19 Machinery Pete Monthly Online Auction.

[:38] - Preview of 7/19 auction, interview tease
[4:00] - Partnership with Dawson Tire & Wheel
[7:51] - Highlights of upcoming auction
[19:03] - Conversation with Gary Perkins
[40:26] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Massey Ferguson 175 Year History – 1847 – 2022

Machinery Pete — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 16:03:34 -0500

Machinery Pete talks Massey Ferguson History, as in the 175 Year Anniversary dating back to 1847. Special guests from Massey Ferguson join Pete, Darren Parker, VP of Massey Ferguson North America, and Adam Sills, Marketing Product Specialist, Tractors. A cool opportunity is discussed for proud Massey Ferguson tractor owners to potentially have their prize Massey displayed at the 2022 Farm Progress Show in Boone, IA at the Massey Ferguson exhibit.

[1:50] - Market update - recent auction prices
[6:08] - Interview with Darren Parker and Adam Sills begins
[8:21] - 175th Anniversary photo contest
[12:58] - New 8S series
[20:59] - History influencing future products, working with farmers
[25:11] - Where is Massey Ferguson headed?
[31:52] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Bernie Poore – Retired John Deere Engineer and His 1982 Model 4640 Tractor with 1,857 Hours

Machinery Pete — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 11:45:44 -0500

Machinery Pete talks with Bernie Poore, retired John Deere Engineer, about his 1982 John Deere 4640 tractor with only 1,857 hours selling on June 21st Machinery Pete Monthly Online Auction and his 2005 Chevrolet 3500 Silverado dually 4x4 crew cab with only 55,906 miles also selling on the June 21 online auction. Bernie and Pete talk about Poore’s 41-year engineering career with John Deere, which began in 1965 working on 4020 tractors up through the 8000/9000 Series tractors, in addition to tales of working on Deere combines from 45/55/95/105 models up into STS Series + stories on how Deere considered the utility vehicle and precision ag markets long before either developed.

[:29] - Planting season equipment market update
[5:32] - Interview with Bernie Poore begins
[8:30] - Working on the 4640 engine
[12:47] - About Bernie’s auction items
[17:42] - Bernie’s start at John Deere
[29:57] - Working on tractors and taking feedback from dealers and customers
[38:55] - Deere marketing
[41:58] - Bernie’s work on combines
[1:05:48] - Engineering advice
[1:09:42] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Joel Everitt – 3rd Generation Auctioneer From Strawberry Point, IA

Machinery Pete — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 10:35:07 -0500

Machinery Pete’s conversation with Joel Everitt of the legendary Everitt auction/farm equipment family of Strawberry Point, IA. Joel’s grandfather started out in the 1950’s and was followed into biz by Joel’s father Jerry. Pete and Joel talk about the amazingly HOT current used farm equipment market and all the changes to the auction biz over the years, including rapid change since the pandemic hit in 2020.

[:43] - Used equipment market update for March/April
[11:59] - Interview with Joel Everitt begins
[13:27] - History of Everitt family business
[18:55] - About Everitt auctions and striving for happy customers
[26:02] - Life under the pandemic
[34:32] - Hedge buying
[41:37] - Finding good internet in the country, life with Joel’s kids
[46:38] - Current market talk and outlook
[59:53] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Neil Messick – 3rd Generation Farm Equipment Dealer From Pennsylvania Who is Rocking Youtube

Machinery Pete — Sat, 09 Apr 2022 09:27:19 -0500

Machinery Pete highlights recent strong auction sale prices from the northeastern U.S. and stays with the northeastern ag focus for a conversation with guest Neil Messick, 3rd generation farm equipment dealer with Messick’s Farm Equipment, a 5-location Case IH / New Holland / Kubota dealer in southeast Pennsylvania. Neil is the driving force behind Messick’s huge Youtube audience with over 106,000 subscribers and over 800 videos posted on a wonderful array of topics that result in highly engaging and educational online conversations about the videos and about agriculture.

[:23] - Machinery Pete is back after a busy start to 2022
[2:10] - Northeast US equipment market update
[9:28] - Interview with Neil Messick begins
[18:47] - Growing up in the farm equipment business
[23:17] - Messick’s YouTube success
[34:03] - Selling equipment during a pandemic
[36:20] - What does the future hold?
[42:04] - YouTube tips
[44:50] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Inventor of The TireGrabber – Alberta Farmer Darcy Goossen

Machinery Pete — Fri, 11 Feb 2022 08:36:02 -0600

Machinery Pete talks with farmer Darcy Goossen from Ferintosh, Alberta, Canada, inventor of the TireGrabber: the award-winning and head-turning, easy, new, safe way to change large ag tires.

[:34] - Machinery Pete previews his upcoming farm show appearances
[3:51] - Equipment market update
[9:10] - Introduction to interview with Darcy Goosen.
[11:10] - Interview begins, first TireGrabber sale, how Darcy got the idea
[15:52] - Simple design; positive customer reviews
[25:22] - Darcy’s family history and close relationship with his grandfather
[30:41] - How the TireGrabber is made and how to use it
[38:15] - Recent farm show feedback & looking ahead
[41:45] - Final words from Machinery Pete

The Drago Corn Head Story – Continuing Growth

Machinery Pete — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 12:58:43 -0600

Machinery Pete has a conversation with Dustin Bollig, VP Sales/Marketing Dir. with Dragotec USA, the North American distributor of Drago corn heads. Bollig relays the tale of how his family brought the Italian made corn head, which dates back to 1954, over to the U.S. and their Fenton, IA farm/factory in 2001 and the explosive growth the company has been seeing and reasons behind the growth.

[:31] - Machinery Pete’s latest on the used equipment market
[7:52] - Interview with Dustin begins
[9:20] - Drago’s early days and starting up in Iowa
[17:45] - What Dustin loves about selling corn heads
[19:45] - Less header loss and customer feedback
[25:31] - Downed corn, header ROI
[31:09] - New product and demand
[40:45] - About the Italy plant
[43:20] - Operations in Iowa
[45:31] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Machinery Pete Conversation with John Phipps, well-known Ag Broadcaster/Writer/Farmer

Machinery Pete — Fri, 17 Dec 2021 11:39:42 -0600

Pete gives update on the red-hot farm equipment market and then welcomes guest John Phipps, former host of US Farm Report TV show and current eastern Illinois farmer and columnist/contributor to Farm Journal, Top Producer, AgWeb.com, to the podcast for a fun wide-ranging conversation including what to do about China, the supply chain issue, the issue of small rural farming communities pulling apart and what can be done, and a look into John’s Engineering roots and early days as a Nuclear Energy Officer on the USS Seahorse fast attack submarine.

[:46] - Market update
[10:20] - Intro of today’s guest
[12:01] - Interview with John Phipps begins
[16:33] - John’s engineering background
[32:04] - The change of rural culture
[44:40] - How to be optimistic about the future
[1:02:05] - Flow of cash and inventory, online auctions
[1:12:37] - Supply chain issues
[1:15:47] - Thoughts on China
[1:33:00] - Kurt Miller on 1973 John Deere 4430
[1:36:10] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Erin Holbert: Young Indiana Woman Returns to Family Farm – Builds Her Own Brand/Biz

Machinery Pete — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 14:10:58 -0600

Machinery Pete stops in Dana, IN to interview Erin Holbert on the family farm she returned to a couple of years ago. From the cab of their John Deere 8420 tractor back in October 2019 Holbert created her own online clothing store, “Heart of the Midwest”, which has grown rapidly. Holbert proceeded in short order to build massive social media and Youtube followings, now with nearly 60,000 Youtube subscribers. Impressive American entrepreneurial spirit at work in the heartland.

[:33] - Preview of conversation with Erin Holbert
[3:34] - Interview begins
[4:22] - Erin’s background growing up on a farm
[7:19] - Balancing her business with farming and favorite shirt designs
[13:32] - Social media success
[16:50] - Helping baby raccoons
[19:39] - Sprayer tire accident story
[25:20] - Erin’s love of writing and creating cooking videos
[33:15] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Alan Hoskins – President of American Farm Mortgage & Financial Services

Machinery Pete — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 10:18:59 -0600

Pete talks with his friend made on the auction trail years ago, Alan Hoskins, President of American Farm Mortgage & Financial Services. Pete and Alan talk about current challenges and opportunities in farm country, including tips and advice for young folks looking to get into farming, ag lending or any new career. Pete and Alan have an in depth talk about the Power of Listening.

[:50] - Today’s topic - listening and preview of Alan Hoskins
[7:07] - Interview begins
[10:23] - What Alan loves about his job
[19:06] - Pride in farming
[27:20] - Alan’s first John Deere tractor and sale
[33:33] - Ag market concerns
[47:15] - Advice to young people about ag lending industry
[1:02:30] - Final words from Machinery Pete

New Book “Tractor Wars – John Deere, Henry Ford, International Harvester and the Birth of American Agriculture”

Machinery Pete — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 08:29:02 -0600

Machinery Pete interviews Neil Dahlstrom, Manager of Archives and History for John Deere about his new book, “Tractor Wars – John Deere, Henry Ford, International Harvester and the Birth of American Agriculture.” Dahlstrom shares fascinating stories from the period 100+ years ago on the race for dominance and relevance in the burgeoning new American market for farm tractors. Pete also provides a recap of a November 6, 2021 farm retirement he filmed for his TV show in Keymar, MD….according to Pete “The Hottest Auction I’ve Seen in my 32 Years.”

[:35] - Machinery Pete teases this episode’s interview
[2:10] - McGrew Auction recap
[7:46] - Interview with Neil Dahlstrom begins
[10:17] - Early life, growing up near Deere archive building
[13:04] - About the new book
[15:03] - History of Ford, International Harvester and Deere Tractors
[26:18] - Advent of the small tractor
[36:58] - Tractor market in 1925
[49:08] - Relating computer advancements to tractors and “what if?s”
[53:12] - Where to buy the book
[54:08] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Consolidation in Farm Auction Industry

Machinery Pete — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 09:32:24 -0500

Machinery Pete highlights the growing trend of consolidation in the farm auction industry and talks with Dan Sullivan and Allen Henslin about Sullivan Auctioneers (Illinois) recent acquisition of Henslin Auctions, Inc. of Minnesota. Pete also touches on consolidation in the farm equipment dealer sector.

[:33] - Machinery Pete farm equipment market update
[4:44] - Today’s topic - consolidation in the ag sector
[9:35] - Conversation with Allen Henslin and Dan Sullivan begins
[10:17] - Merger between Henslin and Sullivan Auctions
[12:11] - Dan Sullivan excited about acquisition - family-oriented businesses
[15:08] - Why merger was the right fit for Henslin
[19:21] - Sullivan Quarterly Booklet
[29:45] - Detail-oriented auction companies with strong teams
[34:22] - End of year outlook
[40:19] - Closing remarks from Dan and Allen
[43:00] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Machinery Pete Equipment Market Update: On Fire Year-End 2021

Machinery Pete — Tue, 12 Oct 2021 12:58:26 -0500

Machinery Pete talks through the historic year 2021 has been in the farm equipment market, providing key examples that spotlight the trend of RISING used values and the why behind rising values. A tribute to Brice Volker at the end of the episode. Volker, from Auburn, Neb., passed away 10/2/21 at age 38 suddenly and unexpectedly. Volker was deeply connected in the farm equipment world online and in farm circles and in the auction industry.

[:40] - Machinery Pete teases the market update in used values
[5:36] - Buy quickly if you need something - 2007 equipment availability issues.
[6:05] - Hot market of 2015.
[8:54] - 2021 market heat-up
[10:15] - There has never been a better time to sell good used equipment.
[15:30] - Market update - summer 2021 auction prices
[26:13] - Continued spikes and record breaking prices
[35:08] - Buckle up for wild finish to 2021
[38:29] - Tribute to Brice Volker

Easton Halverson's 1966 Oliver 1950 FWA Tractor - Grand Champion at '21 Iowa State Fair Annual FFA Restoration Competition

Machinery Pete — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 16:19:18 -0500

Story of Easton Halverson of Claremont, IA - now two-time Grand Champion of Iowa State Fair Annual FFA Tractor Restoration Competition. Halverson just won the '21 competition with his beautiful 1966 Oliver 1950 FWA, which is now for sale to help pay for medical school for Easton: https://www.machinerypete.com/details/100-174-hp/1966/oliver/1950/20412162

He also took top honors in 2019 with his restored 1966 Oliver 1850 2WD.

[:40] - Machinery Pete talks about the launch of monthly online auctions
[1:48] - Interview preview
[4:19] - Conversation with Easton Halverson begins
[5:48] - Recalling their first meeting
[8:51] - Why Easton got into the medical field
[11:25] - The ‘66 Oliver 1950 Grand Champion and its restoration
[24:44] - What was most challenging about the restoration
[28:27] - Learning to restore Oliver tractors
[39:09] - Preparation for State Fair
[51:57] - Easton’s experience with the FFA high school program
[1:00:38] - Oliver 1950 FOR SALE
[1:09:12] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Carson Kahler - 20-Year-Old Ag Youtube Star - 6th Gen Farmer

Machinery Pete — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 13:10:24 -0500

Machinery Pete talks with 20-year-old ag Youtube star Carson Kahler who has nearly 11,000 subscribers to his "6th Gen Farmer" Youtube channel which he started 3 years ago. Kahler will be a Senior this Fall at South Dakota State University studying multiple Ag Programs and is a Sales intern this summer with C&B Operations at their Jackson, MN store location.

[:58] - Machinery Pete sets up this episode’s topic and interview
[4:46] - Interview with Carson Kahler begins
[7:18] - Carson’s early years in farming and starting his YouTube channel
[11:44] - How do you find time to create and post videos?
[13:27] - TikTok
[18:35] - Importance of communicating farming on social media
[21:07] - C&B Operations internship
[27:54] - Advice to businesses on social media
[31:40] - Owning up to a mistake
[47:05] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Illinois Man Starting Truck & Tractor Show in His Hometown + Market Report From Pete

Machinery Pete — Wed, 05 May 2021 22:09:38 -0500

Machinery Pete gives an update on the farm equipment market (on fire) + cool story of an Illinois man working to start up a new Truck & Tractor Show in his hometown of Neponset, IL. The event is scheduled for June 26, 2021.

[:30] - Machinery Pete teases today’s interview
[3:08] - Used values continue to go up, what that means for now + the future
[12:18] - Interview with Rodney Benett begins
[13:45] - The idea behind the Truck & Tractor Show
[15:55] - How to reach out and get involved with the show
[17:28] - Why include trucks in the show?
[20:38] - How Rodney and his friend saved the Neponset Legion
[27:20] - Rodney’s motivation behind the show, life in Neponset and what he’ll display
[39:20] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Thad Shively Reflects on Career in Farm Equipment Dealer Biz

Machinery Pete — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 14:35:28 -0500

Machinery Pete talks with Thad Shively, Dir. of Pre-Owned Inventory for C&B Operations, a 37-store John Deere dealership with stores in MN, IA, SD, WY, MT and ID. Shively is retiring in April '21 after a lifetime in the farm equipment dealer biz. Thad and Pete talk about the current farm equipment market, trends and cycles over the decades, where the farm equipment has been and where it’s headed. Shively also shares his key takeaways/truths from 30+ years in the farm equipment biz and shares his advice to young folks hoping to work someday for a farm equipment dealership.

[:28] - Machinery Pete teases the episode’s interview with Thad Shively
[2:15] - Used equipment market update - strong prices from the latest auctions
[7:59] - Interview with Thad begins
[9:36] - The history of C&B Operations and Thad’s start in the business
[16:20] - Evolving technology and selling equipment
[21:30] - What the farm equipment business was like during the ethanol push
[28:50] - Working through the pandemic
[34:15] - Thad’s family and farm equipment
[40:21] - Advice for those getting into the farm equipment business
[49:43] - Parting words from Thad as he heads into retirement
[52:34] - Closing thoughts from Machinery Pete

Words of Wisdom Remembered From Interview with 97-Year-Old Farm Equipment Dealer 10 Years Ago

Machinery Pete — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 16:07:20 -0600

Machinery Pete shares his memories from, as well as the full interview he did 10 years ago this month (Feb. 2011) in Wyoming, IL with then 97-year-old Joe Colgan. Joe got into the farm equipment biz in 1933, went to work for John Deere in 1937 and became a John Deere dealer in 1947. Joe Colgan passed 4/28/15 at the age of 101, but his words of wisdom still hold true today.

[:28] - Machinery Pete shares some notes on the used equipment market
[3:20] - The passing of time, intro of today’s interview
[8:53] - Interview with Tim and Joe Colgan begins
[13:43] - The early years of Joe’s career and getting into the dealership business
[15:02] - Joe’s book of tractor sales
[18:30] - Tim’s career story and changes he and Joe saw in selling farm equipment over the years
[25:17] - Stories of Joe’s customers
[30:34] - Joe talks retirement and if he could be a dealer in the modern day
[41:45] - Obsolete corn pickers, yearly auctions and trading horses
[47:00] - On the road to Deere dealers
[52:30] - How Joe and Majella Colgan raised a successful family
[56:20] - Brothers Tim and Andy recall their upbringing and Joe’s wife Majella joins the conversation
[59:58] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Emotions of Your Farm Retirement Auction - Before, During and After

Machinery Pete — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 17:05:44 -0600

Machinery Pete talks with Marshalltown, IA farmer David McCubbin about his online farm retirement auction on December 16, 2020. Pete and David talk about the emotions and planning involved from start to finish and beyond the sale....how does it feel when all the machinery is gone and your shed is empty?

[:45] - Machinery Pete sets up today’s topic - retirement auctions
[2:13] - The shift away from auctions’ negative connotations
[5:20] - Introduction of guest, David McCubbin
[11:52] - Interview with David begins
[14:25] - The decision to retire
[17:38] - Selling with Sullivan
[20:00] - Some buyers never called
[28:44] - Landscape of retirement sales in the future?
[34:57] - Most surprising items in David’s sale
[40:24] - “Just let it go.”
[45:15] - Looking ahead to retirement
[50:15] - “Maintain it like you’re going to keep it forever.”
[52:45] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Vermeer - 50 Year Anniversary of Invention of Large Round Baler

Machinery Pete — Fri, 08 Jan 2021 09:05:48 -0600

50 years ago this week, on January 6, 1971, Vermeer Corp. of Pella, IA introduced the first large round baler to the ag industry. Pete talks with Jason Andringa, President/CEO of Vermeer and also grandson of company founder (founded 1948) Gary Vermeer about how the large round baler came to be. Pete, Andringa and Mark Core, Exec. VP, also talk about how Vermeer has handled the pandemic as well as how the company rebounded from the devastating 2018 tornado at their Pella, IA factory.

[:30] - Machinery Pete gets right into today’s topic: Vermeer
[2:03] - 2020’s hot used equipment market
[5:27] - Interview with Jason and Mark begins
[6:05] - How Vermeer got started
[7:28] - Iconic invention of large round baler
[14:44] - Gary Vermeer the problem solver
[18:48] - Vermeer’s role in underground infrastructure
[22:03] - Family owned business and long term vision
[24:40] - Working through the pandemic and meeting demand in 2021
[31:00] - Tornado in Pella
[40:00] - The self-propelled baler
[42:29] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Dealer Pays -1% Interest (They Pay You!) To Farmers Buying Used Combines in Unique New Program

Machinery Pete — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 16:43:56 -0600

Machinery Pete talks with Kurt Miller, Director of Used Equipment for Heritage Tractor, a 21-store John Deere dealership in MO, AR, KS, NE and OK, about their unique new -1% Finance Program (They Pay You!) on any of 65 used combines they have for sale. Since the program started three weeks ago, they've already sold 22 combines. Pete and Kurt also talk about the latest trends in the farm equipment market through the crazy year of 2020. Pete ends the episode with a shout-out to an inspirational hero of his, a Minnesota legend, who recently passed away at the age of 100.

[:30] - Machinery Pete gives an update on what’s been happening on MPTV
[1:48] - 2020 Machinery Pete Thanksgiving Cyber Sale
[2:33] - Preview of interview with Kurt Miller
[4:45] - Conversation with Kurt begins
[6:20] - Heritage Tractor’s equipment in the Cyber Sale
[7:12] - Negative interest promo on combines
[20:50] - Used equipment trends in 2020
[28:35] - How did Kurt get into the farm equipment business?
[31:15] - Advice for young people getting into the business
[33:37] - Crossfit and health
[38:17] - Heart of Heritage
[43:49] - Final words from Machinery Pete, Sid Hartman Tribute, Thanksgiving words of wisdom

Young Nebraska Man's Tractor Drawing Business Taking Off

Machinery Pete — Thu, 15 Oct 2020 13:39:00 -0500

Micah Moulin of Adams, NE is a busy young man with a full time job and a cool growing business, "Moulin Farm Art and Repair." His unique pencil drawings (now paint as well) of tractors, trucks and farm scenes have caught on in a big way with special commission orders coming in from around the country. Hear how it all got started for Micah and where his passion for drawing comes from.

[2:30] - Machinery Pete sets up his conversation with Micah Moulin
[6:12] - Interview with Micah begins
[7:15] - Micah buys back his grandfather’s old 986 tractor and restores it
[11:10] - The Moulins’ farming background
[15:35] - Working on the family to working for Crane Sales & Service
[22:20] - Micha’s drawings and paintings
[32:58] - Balancing work, life and art
[42:01] - Final words from Machinery Pete

1971 IHC 1066 Tractor sold at auction last week for $86,100 (1st one made!), Pete talks the collector tractor market with auctioneer Kurt Aumann

Machinery Pete — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 17:45:51 -0500

Machinery Pete and auctioneer Kurt Aumann with Aumann Vintage Power of Nokomis, IL discuss the collector tractor market, including the 1971 IHC 1066 (1st one made!) with 2,993 original hours Aumann sold it for a new record price of $86,100 on a 9/22/20 collector auction in Iowa. Aumann tells stories on the following record price setting tractors he's sold over the years (IHC 1468 for $52,000 in Kansas in 2017; John Deere 4000 gas Power Shift for $82,500 in Minnesota in 2015; Oliver 2255 FWA for $56,700 in Illinois this year.

[:35] - Machinery Pete previews his conversation with Kurt Aumann
[3:37] - Interview with Kurt begins
[4:55] - Unbelievable new sale record set for the IHC 1066
[7:21] - What Kurt was hoping to sell for and the reaction to the high price
[10:21] - Where did the tractor go?
[12:06] - Memories of some of Kurt’s top tractors sold
[25:30] - Following the data on antique and hobby tractors
[31:48] - How will we look back on today’s tractors in the future?
[36:43] - Kurt’s start in the auction business
[40:05] - Live auctions in 2020
[50:00] - Upcoming Aumann Auctions
[57:55] - Final words from Machinery Pete

1992 John Deere 4760 with 3.6 Hours and 1988 John Deere 4450 with 256 Hours on 10/28/20 Auction in Saskatchewan. Story on the tractors

Machinery Pete — Thu, 10 Sep 2020 09:26:45 -0500

Machinery Pete gets the scoop on the story behind the 1992 John Deere 4760 tractor with only 3.6 actual hours on the Raptor Enterprises auction October 28, 2020 in Speers, SK by Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers. Also, a 1988 John Deere 4450 2WD with only 256 hours is on this sale. Pete talks with Brendan Kramer, Territory Manager with Ritchie Bros., to get the story behind these tractors + other barn finds on this auction, with why and how the equipment has hardly any hours.

[:35] - Machinery Pete tees up the episode’s topic and interview
[1:00] - Farm Journal Field Days, Machinery Pete Pavilion still available to view
[2:35] - about Raptor Enterprises
[5:20] - Interview with Brendan Kramer begins
[7:00] - How the auction came to be
[8:15] - The main attractions of the sale
[13:55] - Brendan’s experience in auctions
[16:18] - Interesting finds in the estate purchased by Raptor Enterprises
[25:38] - How to view the equipment, no extra fees and how to bid
[34:07] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Auction Price Data Now FREE at MachineryPete.com + Big Ohio Dealer Auction

Machinery Pete — Tue, 11 Aug 2020 13:08:08 -0500

Machinery Pete talks about the big announcement last week about making the Auction Price Data FREE at www.MachineryPete.com. Over 726,000 sale prices on ALL types of farm and construction equipment, updated daily. Pete also spotlights an upcoming market-setting auction for used Combines, the August 17, 2020 absolute online dealer inventory reduction auction for Ag-Pro John Deere dealership locations in Ohio, over 40 Combines on this auction.

[:30] - Machinery Pete teases interview
[:58] - Farm Journal Field Days, Machinery Pete Pavilion
[3:20] - Register for Farm Journal Field Days here: https://www.farmjournalfielddays.com/register/
[4:54] - Ag-Pro Auction with Sullivan Auctioneers
[7:00] - Interview with Ted Miller begins
[8:00] - Discussion about included inventory and service
[13:30] - How to register and bid in the auction
[15:47] - Machinery Pete’s Auction Price Database - no more paywall
[17:30] - How Machinery Pete started his business
[21:55] - Tips on using the database
[43:00] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Iowa Farmer Jeff Ryan, aka "Guy No. 2" - Survived Brain Surgery Awake on the Table to Become Loved Ag Writer

Machinery Pete — Thu, 23 Jul 2020 17:02:00 -0500

Pete talks with his friend Jeff Ryan, farmer/writer from Cresco, IA. Ryan is known as "Guy No. 2" for his long-time online blog/columns about life and farming in northeast Iowa, always with a humorist slant that brings a smile. Or a tear. Ryan tells Pete about overcoming the Essential Tremor he grew up with and how an incredible brain surgery in 1998 - while he was awake on the table, changed his life. Guy No. 2 has been known to drive his yellow dune buggy on Christmas Day around Cresco, IA....snow or no snow

[:40] - Live auctions are happening again!
[3:00] - Machinery Pete sets up interview with Jeff Ryan
[4:25] - Interview with Jeff begins
[9:45] - Jeff’s writing background
[15:00] - Longform storytelling approach
[16:54] - Growing up with Essential Tremor
[24:48] - Jeff undergoes brain surgery
[29:35] - Recovery from surgery
[32:05] - Speaking to Medtronic leadership
[37:24] - The “Penny Story”
[42:14] - Stories about Ada Austin “The Goat Woman” and Mark Pearson
[47:12] - The yellow dune buggy
[57:33] - What do you love about farming?
[1:00:45] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Huge Sinclair Tractor Online Dealer Auction 6/30/20

Machinery Pete — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 14:25:41 -0500

Machinery Pete talks with Bob Sinclair, owner of Sinclair Tractor, and auctioneer Dan Sullivan with Sullivan Auctioneers about Sinclair Tractor's huge absolute online dealer auction in southeast Iowa on June 30, 2020 that featured 80+ late model farm equipment items, including 20 John Deere S680 combines. Pete also touches on some eye-opening latest search traffic stats and sales data on smaller HP tractors, ATVS/UTVS and garden tractors, way UP due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

[:42] - Machinery Pete teases the conversation with Bob and Dan
[1:59] - Interesting farm equipment trends as a result of the pandemic
[8:45] - Recent online auction sale prices
[10:28] - Interview with Bob and Dan begins
[15:56] - Auction was a great opportunity at high-quality used equipment
[19:09] - About the bidders - from all over the world
[26:20] - Importance of reputation for successful auction
[33:18] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Story of the Silver Bullet Flying Combine from the 1980's

Machinery Pete — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 14:30:00 -0500

Story behind the famous Silver Bullet Flying Combine from the mid to late 1980's, seen at tons of fairs and shows all over the country + in the movie "Race Against the Harvest" starring Wayne Rogers from TV show M.A.S.H. Machinery Pete talks with Gail Brookins of West Fargo, ND, who along with husband Ernie Brookins built and operated the Silver Bullet Flying Combine. Gail shares amazing stories from the road of the Silver Bullet.

[:40] - Machinery Pete sets up what might be his favorite interview
[3:38] - Interview with Gail Brookins begins
[4:20] - Building the Silver Bullet
[8:40] - Testing and preparing the Flying Combine for shows
[12:03] - Coors Light and the Silver Bullet
[13:55] - The first jump
[17:00] - How Gail and Ernie met and how they got into demolitions
[24:04] - Reaction to the first jump
[36:45] -The Silver Bullet on the silver screen
[43:15] - “Track Attack”
[49:58] - “Tranzilla”
[56:08] - Inventions and patents
[1:05:33] - Looking back on the traveling years
[1:07:22] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Ontario Farmer and Twitter Star Andy Pasztor - #AndyClean

Machinery Pete — Fri, 29 May 2020 12:00:00 -0500

Machinery Pete has a fun conversation with rising star in the #AgTwitter world, Ontario farmer Andy Pasztor (@apasztor82 on Twitter), known as #AndyClean for the wonderfully obsessive way he cleans and shines farm equipment.

[:41] - Social media talk and Machinery Pete’s start in it
[5:00] - Starting a YouTube channel
[11:20] - Spring Price Slasher Sale
[12:50] - Interview with Andy Pasztor begins
[19:03] - #AndyClean
[25:00] - About Andy’s Dad, a gift from John Deere & Twitter networking
[32:35] - Andy’s cleaning process
[36:30] - Field of Dreams
[46:38] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Personalizing the Farm Equipment You Sell = $$

Machinery Pete — Wed, 06 May 2020 10:30:00 -0500

Machinery Pete talks about the opportunity he's seen for a number of years now: when selling farm equipment, personalize it to make it worth more $$. Pete shares successful examples of this that he's seen over recent years whether sellers were dealers, auction firms or private farmer sellers.

[:46] - Machinery Pete talks about his love for the personal nature of the farm equipment business
[2:15] - Our willingness to change and adapt to changes around us
[6:00] - Why you should personalize what you’re selling
[8:20] - A story of a how Machinery Pete inspired the Hatfields
[11:00] - Clip of Larry Hatfield talking about his tractor
[13:45] - Interview with Matt Sullivan of Sullivan Auctioneers
[24:25] - Importance of putting name, face and story with a piece of equipment
[32:40] - Sell It Yourself advice
[35:30] - How video helped sell equipment for high prices at auction
[45:11] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Story Behind Like-New 1977 John Deere 4430 Tractor - Star of 2020 National Farm Machinery Show

Machinery Pete — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 09:00:00 -0500

Machinery Pete learns the story of the beautiful, looked-like-new 1977 John Deere 4430 tractor that was the star of the 2020 National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, KY this past mid February at the John Deere exhibit. Pete talks with owner Don Cummings of Seymour, IN about his 4430, its unique history and the amazing reaction the tractor elicited at the Louisville farm show. Cummings is now considering selling his prize 4430.

[:43] - Machinery Pete talks the John Deere 4430 and recent sale prices
[4:40] - Sounds from an auction sale of a 1977 4430
[7:43] - Interview with Don Cummings begins
[8:51] - How Don’s tractor was featured in a calendar shoot
[29:38] - Don’s experience with John Deere at the National Farm Machinery Show
[33:08] - A life event involving Don’s 4430
[41:25] - How his tractor got a chrome pipe
[59:55] - Don’s father Jim’s influence
[1:08:27] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Coronavirus Ag Update: Pete Talks with Trucker, Auctioneer, Equipment Dealer and Farmer in Rural Virus Hotspot

Machinery Pete — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 12:00:00 -0500

Machinery Pete takes a spin around farm country to get the pulse on how the coronavirus situation has been affecting the ag scene the past couple weeks. Pete talks with a Trucker from Iowa, an auctioneer from Minnesota who just had two big online farm sales, a friend from the farming town of Fairmont, MN, which has 9 + coronavirus cases, and a farm equipment dealer from Missouri. Pete also provides the latest update on used equipment pricing.

[:43] - Machinery Pete teases his four interviews
[2:28] - Used values still going strong
[4:13] - Recent online auction sale prices
[11:09] - Interview with trucker Les Yaw about life on the road
[23:33] - Interview with Matt Maring on online auctions
[34:16] - Interview with Kevin Kahler on coronavirus affecting a small town in Minnesota
[39:33] - Interview with Kurt Miller of Heritage Tractor and current dealership life
[49:26] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Machinery Pete talks COVID-19 virus and the immense impact on the farm auction industry

Machinery Pete — Wed, 18 Mar 2020 13:05:00 -0500

Machinery Pete talks about the COVID-19 virus and the immense impact on the farm auction industry. Pete walks us through the past week day by day as auction firms dealt with unprecedented challenges and rose to meet them to serve both buyer and seller. Pete interviews auctioneers Dan Sullivan with Sullivan Auctioneers (IL) and Allen Henslin with Henslin Auctions (MN) about what the past week has been like. Pete also comments on how used farm equipment values held up over this challenging week.

[:30] - Impact of Coronavirus on auction market
[2:00] - March 11 - right before the world changed
[11:00] - Updates on auctions moving online
[20:31] - Interview with Dan Sullivan begins
[26:10] - Dan previews upcoming sales
[28:53] - Allen Henslin interview begins
[30:20] - Henslin’s upcoming sales
[32:10] - How are the crowds at auctions?
[40:10] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Machinery Pete Talks Ag Equipment Engineering with President of CLAAS Omaha, Inc.

Machinery Pete — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 13:00:00 -0600

Engineering is our topic, specifically the field of farm equipment engineering. Machinery Pete wishes he'd have known more about engineering when he was young. Pete talks with Maury Salz, President of CLAAS Omaha, Inc. about their new award winning CLAAS Lexion 8000-7000 Series Combines, but more in depth about the field of Engineering and the myriad career paths forward. Salz went from building tractors and farm equipment to building helicopters before hopping back into the farm equipment space. Salz tells Pete about an exciting upcoming event and learning opportunity, ASABE's Annual AIM event in Omaha, Neb. July 13 -15, 2020. A great chance for young folks interested in Engineering to learn more about the industry.

[1:13] - Machinery Pete tees up the episode’s topic of engineering
[4:36] - Tractor of the Week
[11:46] - Why it’s great to be an engineer
[13:07] - Interview with Maury Salz begins
[13:40] - About ASABE’s AIM 2020
[19:08] - How Maury got into engineering
[20:35] - Maury’s work on helicopters before returning to ag
[26:35] - Advice about engineering
[31:40] - Interpreting requirements to find solutions for the final product
[35:15] - The many subsystems of farm equipment
[37:46] - Features of the new Claas combines
[48:15] - The future of farming
[53:10] - Final words from Machinery Pete

History of Allis-Chalmers - AGCO

Machinery Pete — Wed, 19 Feb 2020 11:55:00 -0600

Tim Brannon, owner of B&G Equipment in Paris, TN has been involved with Allis-Chalmers and AGCO equipment his whole life, even before becoming a dealer in 1978. Brannon shares his wealth of knowledge, history and amazing stories on the iconic Allis Chalmers brand. Even avid AC lovers will learn a lot from this conversation!

[1:32] - Tractor of the Week
[6:44] - Interview with Tim Brannon begins
[8:10] - Tim shares stories about his upbringing, his family’s farm and how B&G Equipment started
[11:56] - Tim’s start at Allis-Chalmers
[13:18] - Women led the way along with creative marketing techniques for Allis Chalmers sales
[22:20] - AC history and their competition with Ford and partnership with Firestone
[27:15] - Different divisions of Allis-Chalmers, involvement of Nikola Tesla
[32:00] - AC’s all-crop harvester
[41:10] - Hard times befall the Allis-Chalmers brand
[47:40] - Founding of AGCO, AC brand changes
[1:04:00] - Gleaner history
[1:11:22] - Loretta Lynn’s dude ranch
[1:24:03] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Iowa Family Collects Vintage John Deere Combines

Machinery Pete — Wed, 05 Feb 2020 08:05:00 -0600

Machinery Pete shares the story of an Iowa family that collects vintage John Deere combines, sometimes very rare ones, to go along with their antique tractor and farm implement collections.

[1:20] - Tractor of the Week
[5:25] - Machinery Pete previews interview with Travis Mullenger and Russ Bruhn
[7:08] - Interview begins
[16:25] - The story behind an unusual 1995 Crawler
[12:05] - What do people say about Travis’ collection?
[17:44] - When did the family start collecting and what intrigued them to collect?
[21:49] - What Travis looks for in machines to add to his collection
[26:30] - The types of implements people collect
[30:35] - Travis touches on his work at Horizon Equipment in Audobon, IA
[31:48] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Ohio Hall of Fame Auctioneer Kevin Wendt

Machinery Pete — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 08:00:00 -0600

Machinery Pete sits down with Ohio Hall of Fame auctioneer Kevin Wendt, owner of The Wendt Group and also Showpig.com. Kevin talks about his auction career, building these two growing businesses and also about how they purposefully give back in powerful ways, changing many lives for the better in the process.

[:49] – Machinery Pete previews his interview with Kevin Wendt
[4:54] - Tractor of the Week
[7:25] - Interview with Kevin Wendt begins
[8:14] - How Kevin got started with the Wendt Group and Showpig.com
[16:25] - Kevin’s auctioneer influences
[19:26] - How Kevin got into auctions instead of becoming a farmer
[21:43] - The Showpig.com All-Star Camp
[29:22] - The Hopewell Project
[42:08] - Where will the auction industry be in 20 years?
[50:12] - How to apply for the Showpig.com All-Star Camp
[52:48] - Final words from Machinery Pete

40-Year-Old Tractors with Low Hours are Red Hot

Machinery Pete — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 12:30:00 -0600

Tag along with Machinery Pete to three farm auctions in 2019 on which 40-year-old tractors with low hours sold for record or near-record prices, continuing a trend Pete has been documenting for many years.

[:53] – Machinery Pete teases his favorite auctions of 2019
[3:23] - What makes the John Deere 40 Series tractors so valuable
[5:21] - Audio from farm auction in Crescent, IA on 12/7/19
[8:48] - Machinery Pete recaps how the 4840 goes for a record price at the Crescent auction
[10:43] - Audio from Bingham Lake, MN auction where a 4640 sold for a high price
[18:36] - Machinery Pete offers perspective on how interest in 4640s has grown over the years
[22:00] - Audio from estate sale in Lake City, MN
[26:29] - More on average prices of 40 Series tractors and compiling data over the years
[31:10] - Final words from Machinery Pete

"This Farm Wife" - Ag YouTube/Instagram Star Meredith Bernard from North Carolina

Machinery Pete — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 08:00:00 -0600

Machinery Pete talks with Meredith Bernard from Milton, N.C. who is better known as "This Farm Wife" on social media and YouTube. Bernard's vlogs on YouTube about daily life on their North Carolina farm have gone viral and built a huge following both inside and outside of ag, helping to tell farming's story to non-farmers, which is so important in today's world.

[1:24] – Machinery Pete’s Tractor of the Week
[6:12] - Intro to interview
[8:21] - Interview with Meredith Bernard begins
[9:00] - Machinery Pete and This Farm Wife discuss their experiences at the Farmer2Farmer networking event
[10:38] - Bernard talks about her background
[13:15] - Her transition out of work in sales and coming home
[15:15] - How and why she got into vlogging
[19:29] - Bernard expresses her love for sharing stories
[28:30] - This Farm Wife is also a photographer, writer and speaker
[31:05] - Relating with people through video whether stories are touching, difficult or silly
[34:19] - Skillet cooking
[37:20] - Why Bernard is an advocate for mental health
[42:40] - The importance of her faith
[48:01] - Final words from Machinery Pete

"American Countryside" Host Andrew McCrea - Ideas to Reinvigorate Small Town America

Machinery Pete — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 08:00:00 -0600

Machinery Pete talks with Andrew McCrea, host of the popular "American Countryside" radio program about his new book, "Total Town Makeover" Rethinking Business, Community and Home in Small Town America. McCrea shares success stories of how small rural towns across the country have taken innovative approaches to reverse decades of decline and work toward securing a more prosperous future.

[1:20] – Machinery Pete’s Tractor of the Week
[4:16] - Into to interview
[6:06] - Interview with Andrew McCrea begins
[8:05] - Discussion about “Total Town Makeover” and how it happened
[9:35] - Identifying small town problems
[10:28] - Vision to move forward
[12:00] - How do you bring back a town’s former residents?
[17:55] - Reasons to live rural
[19:35] - Small towns work together to benefit each other
[21:10] - “The Carousel City”
[22:05] - Story about an outhouse in Illinois
[28:15] - Retirement projects that benefit small towns
[32:45] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Conversation with Legendary 91-Year-Old Auctioneer, Farm Equipment Dealer

Machinery Pete — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 08:00:00 -0600

Machinery Pete offers his annual Thanksgiving advice to use your smart phones to record video of conversations with your elderly loved ones at holiday family gatherings. Pete demonstrates the value of this by sharing one of his all time favorite interviews he's done, from two years ago with then 91-year-old legendary auctioneer and farm equipment dealer Abner Jacobson of Benson, Minn.

Abner passed away May 7, 2019 at the age of 93. Abner's recalled stories of the auction and farm equipment businesses in the 1950's and 1960's will make you smile.

[00:50] – Machinery Pete’s Tractor of the Week
[3:55] - Annual Thanksgiving advice from Machinery Pete
[7:44] - Interview with Abner Jacobson begins
[9:15] - How Abner got involved with the auction business
[13:55] - A story about the sale of a shotgun
[18:11] - A large crowd attends Abner’s 90th birthday
[27:20] - What Abner loves most about auctions
[34:52] - A funny story about an old dump truck for sale
[35:43] - Secrets to a successful and happy life
[37:50] - The power of addressing someone by name
[40:00] - Machinery Pete’s final words

Tales of Low-Hour Tractor Finds with Machinery Pete

Machinery Pete — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 17:00:00 -0600

November 2019 marks the 30-year anniversary that Greg Peterson, better known as Machinery Pete, began collecting auction prices of farming equipment being sold all over North America.

We look back on the history behind why some of these tractors were hardly used, how their value grew over time and what ended up happening to them after being sold at auction.

[03:15] – Stories of John Deere 4450 and 4455 tractors sold at auctions
[16:35] - March 6, 2009 - How a trip to an auction inspired Machinery Pete to start using social media
[28:15] - A potential buyer from Canada travels to New York with a briefcase of cash to try to swoop in on an already-sold tractor
[30:00] - How Machinery Pete finds these stories on old low-hour tractors
[45:45] - A thank you to auctioneers

The Man Who Made Ford 9N & John Deere 4020 Tractors

Machinery Pete — Wed, 30 Oct 2019 10:00:00 -0500

In October of 2010, Machinery Pete caught up with 95-year-old Harold Brock to talk about his experiences working for Ford and John Deere. He apprenticed under Henry Ford and learned from inventors Thomas Edison and George Washington Carver.

Brock helped design popular tractors such as the Ford 9N and John Deere 4020 and always involved himself with projects in a hands-on manner. His work for two iconic companies helped change the world, helping make the average farmer more productive by reducing the reliance on animal power.

[01:25] – Featured tractor of the week, Ford 9N
[7:32] - Conversation with Harold Brock begins
[8:31] - Henry Ford’s mission
[13:40] - Harold talks about what it was like to apprentice under ford
[17:00] - “Ford wasn’t profit-oriented.”
[19:55] - Harold talks about what Thomas Edison was like
[21:16] - the story behind the color scheme of the Ford 8N tractor
[22:26] - Harold talks about working for John Deere starting in 1959
[31:03] - Harold reflects on his accomplishments and great work his staff did
[32:00] - Final words from Machinery Pete

Barn Find John Deere 4955 Tractor with 958 Hours

Machinery Pete — Wed, 16 Oct 2019 08:00:00 -0500

Every time we post a barn find, we get a slew of people asking for the story behind the piece of equipment. On today’s episode of the Machinery Pete Podcast, we’ve got a special barn find: a 1990 John Deere 4955 with one original owner and only 958 hours.

Larry Holy of Brookings, South Dakota recently got in touch with us to tell us about his father’s special 4955 that has been sitting unused since the mid-1990s. Larry sat down with Machinery Pete to talk about his father’s legacy and the story behind the tractor.

Tune in to get the details on this 4955 and get in touch with Machinery Pete if you’d like to purchase this unique barn find.

[00:14] – Welcome to the podcast our sponsor Case IH
[01:20] – Featured tractor of the week, John Deere 4955
[01:40] – For tractor specs head to machinerypete.com and click on Tractor Specs
[04:40] – Machinery Pete Price Slasher Event starts October 17 and runs through the end of the month, October 31. Go to machinerypete.com/sale
[05:26] – A message from our sponsor, Case IH
[05:55] – Welcome guest Larry Holy
[06:32] – Larry talks about how his father Joe came to buy a Deere 4955 in 1990
[08:53] – Larry discusses how his dad Joe put this tractor to work
[13:02] – Through research Larry found out the tractor was originally a dealer to dealer transfer
[14:15] – The tractor was made special for rice and cane fields and still features the original tires and toolbox
[17:59] – Larry recounts how he drove down to make the video for the tractor in a 1985 Chevy Silverado C30 that had belonged to his dad
[21:30] – Fixing up the truck has been part of Larry’s grieving process since his dad passed but he hopes to share it in the future so that others can get enjoyment out of it as he and his dad did
[23:06] – If you’re interested in purchasing Larry’s family tractor, reach out to Machinery Pete
[26:08] – Larry tells the story of his father Joe’s Model T
[29:55] – Why Joe turned down offers from Mohawk Plow to be a field engineer
[31:17] – Larry tells the story of how his father harvested the first bale of cotton in McLennan County, TX
[35:20] – If you’d like to purchase either the tractor or the Silverado, contact greg@machinerypete.com

Machinery Pete was founded in 1989 and has grown from its humble beginnings to a full-fledged marketplace for farming equipment. Greg Peterson, founder, and host has also released Machinery Pete content across platforms including YouTube with his long-running Machinery Pete TV show.

Tractor Repair Youtube Star Rachel Gingell

Machinery Pete — Wed, 02 Oct 2019 08:00:00 -0500

Your tractor is your livelihood and when it breaks down that can cost you time and money. Rachel Gingell wants to change that. On this week’s episode of the Machinery Pete Podcast, we’re talking to Rachel about her series of videos that empower tractor owners to fix mechanical issues without taking their vehicle to the shop. Rachel has spent her whole life around tractors and is passionate about helping people care for their equipment as well as teaching farmers what to look for when purchasing their next tractor.

Listen in to learn Rachel’s negotiation tips, how she makes quality video tutorials, and her advice on starting your own business in the ag industry.

Show Index

[02:38] – Featured tractor Magnum 71-10
[06:12] – Introducing Rachel Gingell
[06:45] – Rachel discusses her new book, Farmall Cub Encyclopedia
[10:16] – You can buy Rachel’s book at farmtractorrepair.com
[11:18] – Rachel talks about the process of writing the book
[15:14] – Rachel’s tips for buying tractors
[16:47] – Rachel shares her negotiation tips
[19:09] – Rachel discusses her background and what it was like growing up with tractors
[23:26] – How Rachel got a pink tractor
[25:18] – What goes into producing a high-quality video
[30:16] – farmtractorrepair.com also allows you to get expert troubleshooting advice from Rachel and her dad Dan for $14.50.
[36:15] – Rachel talks about the hardest repair she’s had to complete on video
[37:40] – Rachel shares her favorite tractor
[39:41] – Why Rachel left the auction business
[41:45] – Rachel give advice on starting your own business in the ag industry
[43:18] – Why Rachel loves fishing
[44:36] – Rachel talks about her love for motorcycles
[46:48] – What videos are in the pipeline for Rachel

Rachel Gingell is author of the book Farmall Cub Encyclopedia and runs farmtractorrepair.com with her father Dan Gingell. Rachel and Dan produce a popular YouTube channel featuring videos teaching DIY tractor repair.

Premium Vodka Made from Minnesota Corn by Retired Farm Boy & NFL Star

Machinery Pete — Wed, 18 Sep 2019 08:00:00 -0500

As the old saying goes, don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Similarly, when it comes to agriculture, finding new uses for crops is a great way for farmers to protect themselves when seasons or prices are rough. On today’s Machinery Pete Podcast, we’re talking to the creators of Gray Duck Vodka and the Minnesota Millennial Farmer to talk new uses for heritage crops.

Chad Greenway, former player for the Minnesota Vikings, and Jamie Quesnel, one of the owners of Gray Duck Spirits, join Greg to discuss how they created their Minnesota sourced vodka. We close out the show with Zach Johnson, the Minnesota Millennial Farmer, whose corn is used to produce Gray Duck Vodka. Zach talks to Machinery Pete about the opportunities he’s created for himself through his savvy use of social media.

Show Index

[0:40] – Welcome to the Machinery Pete Podcast
[01:45] – Guests today include former Vikings player and partner at Gray Duck Spirits Chad Greenway, owner of Gray Duck Spirits Jamie Quesnel, and Minnesota Millennial Farmer Zach Johnson.
[04:21] – How Chad got involved in Gray Duck Spirits.
[07:04] – Chad talks about his time as a high school football player.
[10:31] – How Gray Duck Spirits got its name.
[10:22] – Chad talks about the feedback Gray Duck is getting from rural farmers.
[12:51} – Where you can find Gray Duck Spirits.
[14:18] – Chris discusses his predictions for the Minnesota Vikings upcoming season as well as Iowa State Hawkeyes.
[16:53] – Machinery Pete introduces his next guest, Jamie Quesnel, one of the owners of Gray Duck Spirits.
[21:29] – Jamie talks about Gray Duck’s distillation process.
[22:49] – Gray Duck has only been around for a year but consistently wins gold medals for its taste.
[23:55] – Jamie explains why Chad has been an integral part of Gray Duck’s success.
[25:47] – Jamie explains how the brand started out and continues to grow.
[29:39] – Machinery Pete introduces Minnesota Millennial Farmer Zach Johnson.
[32:12] – Zach discusses the current farming conditions in West Central Minnesota.
[33:15] – How Gray Duck is helping the ag community diversify.
[34:19] – Zach talks about meeting Chad Greenway.
[35:01] – Zack tells Machinery Pete about his new podcast project.
[36:24] – Connect with Gray Duck at grayduckspirits.com and Machinery Pete at machinerypete.com

Chad Greenway is a former NFL player who played for the Minnesota Vikings for 11 years. Chad came on board and is a spokesperson for Gray Duck Spirits.

Jamie Quesnel is one of the owners of Gray Duck Spirits. Prior to his ownership stake, Jamie worked in sales for Auto Glass.

Zach Johnson is the Minnesota Millennial Farmer. Zach is a 5th generation family farmer from West Central Minnesota. Zach actively promotes agriculture by sharing his day-to-day experiences on the family farm. The Minnesota Millennial Farmer reaches more than 300,000 subscribers on YouTube alone.

Pacific Northwest Agriculture with Ben Bair of Papé Machinery

Machinery Pete — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 16:55:00 -0500

The Midwest is known for its strong ag community, but have you ever wondered what’s going on with farmers on the West Coast? This week on the Machinery Pete podcast, we’re taking a trip out west to find out what’s happening with our farming friends in Oregon.

Ben Bair of Papé Machinery stops by to talk to Machinery Pete about the wild west of specialty crops as well as his experience moving from a potato farm in Idaho to the hemp and wine fields of Oregon. Listen in to learn about the freedom and risks involved with banking on specialty crops.

Show Index

[2:17] - Machinery Pete and Ben Bair reminisce on how they first connected.
[5:05] - Born and raised on a farm in Idaho, Ben’s new home in Oregon is like a foreign country when it comes to agriculture.
[6:45] - Ben talks about the most profitable west coast crops and how hemp is the agricultural gold rush.
[7:49] - In addition to hemp, the wine industry is also rapidly growing in Oregon.
[9:40] - The top crops in Oregon are so fundamentally different than the Midwest that Ben doesn’t know much about current pricing for legacy crops like soybeans and wheat.
[10:47] - Ben discusses the freedom and risks involved with growing specialty crops
[12:06] - Local processing is the bottleneck in the current Oregon hemp industry. Farmers are getting creative to harvest.
[14:51] - Ben talks about growing up on an Idaho potato farm and how that led him to go into the machinery business.
[15:50] - Machinery Pete and Ben reminisce on Ben’s grandfather Ron Bair and his mechanical abilities.
[19:07] - Ben discusses what led him to quit college to focus on machinery.
[20:41] - Ben talks about how he got started selling machinery and forging relationships.

Ben Bair is the Regional Sales Manager for Papé Machinery in the Willamette Valley. Formerly the Remarketing Manager at 21st Century Equipment, Ben lives and breathes farming machinery equipment.

A Talk with Inventor of Bi-Rotor "Dream Reaper” Combine Ralph Lagergren

Machinery Pete — Wed, 21 Aug 2019 08:00:00 -0500

Machinery Pete is back with an all new episode interviewing Ralph Lagergren, inventor and entrepreneur. Back in the 1990s, Ralph and his cousin struck gold when they invented the bi-rotor combine and sold the patents to John Deere. Their work inspired countless inventors and a bestselling book, Dream Reaper.

Ralph has decades of experience bringing new products to market and shares his tips and advice for any aspiring inventors who want to get their ideas out into the world. Listen in as Ralph discusses the process that made the Dream Reaper a success and the biggest obstacles that inventors and entrepreneurs face.

Show Index:

[2:41] - Ralph discusses how he got working on the Bi-rotor combine.
[9:15] - How Ralphe came into contact with Craig Canine, who wrote the book Dream Reaper about the bi-rotor combine.
[10:38] - The first time Ralph was recognized by a stranger for his combine.
[12:54] - Why Ralph has no hard feelings toward John Deere and what’s next for the bi-rotor combine.
[15:29] - Working with Ethan Eck, a young inventor from Kansas, and how the two got started.
[19:25] - Ethan Eck is a talented young inventor with great ideas and engineering skill. Ralph talks about what Ethan is up to.
[21:21] - The role of luck in inventing & Ralphs new venture.
[24:49] - Focusing inventions on cutting down production time.
[28:42] - Ralph’s talent for seeing the big picture and getting the right people for each new invention.
[32:42] - How inventors can be successful.
[36:38] - Why it’s important for inventors to discuss their work and collaborate.
[39:20] - The biggest obstacles to making it as an inventor.
[42:40] - Ralph’s passion project is a game that he’s been working on taking to market.
[47:24] - Even though his inventions span different industries, Ralph talks about the common threads.
[49:42] - Ralph is a world traveler and talks about his favorite places in the US.
[54:57] - How the Dream Reaper book is still inspiring inventors.

Ralph Lagergren is an entrepreneur and new product developer who has worked on projects across various industries. With his cousin Mark Underwood, Ralph developed the revolutionary bi-rotor combine which was sold to John Deere and inspired the bestselling book, Dream Reaper: The Story of an Old-Fashioned Inventor in the High-Tech, High-Stakes World of Modern Agriculture. Ralph is currently involved with Chem Blade and is developing a brand new game called Rage Ball 5.

Illinois Dir. of Agriculture John Sullivan Talks Hemp Industry and Rural Broadband Issues

Machinery Pete — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 15:00:00 -0500

Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Machinery Pete Podcast. You’ve come to know Machinery Pete as a trusted resource for buying, selling, and auctioning farming equipment. With this podcast, we hope to listen to folks across small town, rural America and have deep discussions about issues affecting the Ag community.

To kick off this new show, we’ve brought in a heavyweight guest, John Sullivan, the Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. In this episode John talks about some of the challenges facing job growth and internet access in rural communities and discusses the exciting new farming frontier: hemp.

Tune in for discussion between John Sullivan and Machinery Pete on how to revitalize small town, rural America.

Show Index:

[00:11] – Welcome to the new Machinery Pete Podcast
[04:01] – What you can expect on the Machinery Pete Podcast
[08:51] – Conversation between Greg Peterson and John Sullivan
[09:26] – John discusses how he ended up the Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture
[11:26] – John discusses his career as an Illinois State Senator
[13:42] – John talks about being a Democrat representing a Republican district
[16:15] – John’s experience with farming
[17:20] – How his experience informs John as Director of the Department of Agriculture
[19:47] – Current agricultural conditions in Illinois
[22:00] – The general mood of farmers in Illinois
[24:19] – John discusses Illinois’ Industrial Hemp Act
[28:18] – How Illinois was able to implement the Industrial Hemp Act so quickly
[32:12] – John discusses his initiative to improve broadband internet access in rural communities
[35:34] – Funding ideas to bring broadband to rural communities
[36:52] – How broadband is critical to growing jobs in rural communities
[42:40] – What can be done to entice people to move back to small town, rural America?
[44:51] – What happens when the population of rural areas declines?
[48:25] – How to compromise and reach across the aisle
[51:21] – Why we must listen to the other side
[58:28] – Why we must embrace change
[1:01:06] – John offers advice on raising a family in the farming community

John M. Sullivan is honored to serve as Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

John has been involved in agriculture his entire life. Born and raised on a farm in western Illinois, he currently lives with his wife, Joan, on the family-owned farm just north of Rushville in Schuyler County. For 20 years, John was a partner in his family’s real estate and auction business.

In 2002, John successfully ran for the Illinois State Senate, representing the 47th Senate District from 2003 to 2017. The 47th District is the largest Senate district in the state, including all or parts of 13 western Illinois counties. During his time in the Senate, John served as chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Conservation committee and worked on many issues that affect farmers and agriculture.

John and his wife Joan have four children, three daughters-in-law, and six grandchildren.

Welcome to the Machinery Pete Podcast!

Machinery Pete — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0500

Welcome to the Machinery Pete podcast. A fun visit I'll have with a variety of guests from across a wide swath of the ag spectrum. You know, it's hard to believe it's been 30 years now I've been compiling auction sale prices on all types of farm equipment sold throughout North America. I wasn't really sure back then it could grow into a business. I mean, what did I know back in 1989? I was a 23-year-old kid from Benson, Minnesota, just out of college a year. But I knew in my gut that the whole topic of farm machinery was underserved. Folks in the ag space wanted and needed more and better information and data. So I set sail on this journey to see what I could build.

And I tell you, I've had a ball writing monthly Machinery Pete columns and for national farm magazines since 1992 doing ag TV now for a dozen years, a weekly AgriTalk radio segment, nearly 1500 Machinery Pete YouTube videos and daily social media posts. But folks, we live in a culture of soundbites and short attention spans. I think there's a hunger for longer, meaningful conversations that provide more context. Like when you go to an auction and actually talk to folks and listen to folks you didn't know before. If you're like me, you always learn something new.

So come along with me on the Machinery Pete podcast, and let's see where this gravel road takes us.