Leap Forward

Getting the right John Deere part—fast—can make all the difference during the season.

In this episode of the Leap Forward with Riesterer & Schnell podcast, Trevor Riesterer, Corporate Parts Manager, sits down with Marcus Fenske, Parts Manager at our Hortonville location, to break down how customers can get John Deere parts faster using today’s digital tools and support options.

They discuss how Shop.Deere.com and Equipment Mobile...

Spring planting success starts long before you enter the field.

In this episode of Leap Forward with Riesterer & Schnell, the team breaks down the most important tillage and planter wear items to check before spring, helping you avoid in‑season downtime and protect yield potential.

We begin with key tillage tool wear points—including shovels and disc blades—and what to look for as you pull equipment out of the shed. Then we shift...

What does John Deere See & Spray really look like in the field after the full 2025 season? In this episode of the Leap Forward Podcast, we sit down at Miller Farms in Pickett, Wisconsin, for honest feedback on targeted spraying technology.

Ryan Miller of Miller Farms and Jackson Remer of Remer Farms share their first‑year experiences using See & Spray on corn and soybeans—covering sensitivity settings, chemical programs, rea...

In this episode of Leap Forward with Riesterer & Schnell, host Keith Muench sits down with Kevin and Chris, two highly experienced ag service technicians from our Hortonville location. Together, they dive into why winter service inspections are essential for preventing downtime and maximizing performance during the busy season. From sprayers and combines to planters and tractors, learn about common wear points, the importance o...

In this special episode of Leap Forward with Riesterer & Schnell, host Beau Dvorachek steps away from technology talk to spotlight the people powering the future of agricultural service. Hear inspiring journeys from Reed, Ethan, and Lukas—young technicians who started as high school apprentices and are now building rewarding careers with Riesterer & Schnell. Joined by veteran Jason Knoener, the group discusses hands-on lear...

Climb into the cab and join Beau Dvorachek, Andy Sorenson, and Trevor Balthazor as they harvest soybeans in a Wisconsin field on this special episode of Leap Forward with Riesterer & Schnell. Listeners can ride along with Beau and Andy as they demonstrate the latest John Deere S7 800 combine technology—including predictive ground speed automation, harvest settings automation, and turn automation—right from the field. Discover h...

In this episode of Leap Forward, join Riesterer & Schnell’s digital experts — Trevor, Wyatt, and Matt — as they dive into the cutting-edge John Deere technologies transforming Wisconsin’s fall harvest. From Autopath and Turn Automation to Grain Weight Sharing and JDLink, discover how precision ag tools are helping farmers boost efficiency, reduce stress, and make smarter decisions in the field. Plus, hear Matt’s inspiring journ...

In this episode of Leap Forward with Riesterer & Schnell, host Jordan Hempel sits down with Clint Chaffer to explore how precision upgrade kits are changing the game for farmers. From adjustable spouts and cross auger shut-offs to auto unload systems and machine sync, these innovations allow you to upgrade your existing planter, sprayer, or combine—without buying a new machine. Discover how these tools reduce operator stress, b...

In this episode of Leap Forward with Riesterer & Schnell, we explore how John Deere is transforming the baling process with its 1 Series Round Balers. From real-time moisture and weight data to Weave Automation and the intuitive G5e Monitor, these machines are designed to deliver smarter, more efficient baling.

Join us as we talk with experts from John Deere and Riesterer & Schnell about innovations like Bale Documentation, ...

Join us in this exciting episode of Leap Forward as Todd Vogel, Product Specialist from Riesterer & Schnell, and Bergen Nelson, Go-To-Market Manager with John Deere, showcase the revolutionary John Deere F Series Self-Propelled Forage Harvesters. Discover how these cutting-edge machines are designed to maximize efficiency, enhance productivity, and deliver superior forage quality.

In this episode, Todd and Bergen cover everythin...

In this episode of Leap Forward with Riesterer & Schnell, we’re diving into the cutting edge of agricultural innovation with a spotlight on the John Deere Autonomous Tractor. Join us as we talk with Michael DeJong of DeJong Farms out of Edgar, Wisconsin, Beau Dvorachek, Strategic Solutions Manager, and Trevor Balthazor, Digital Specialist, about how autonomy is transforming the way we farm.

From real-world field experiences to t...

Join Tim Duel from Riesterer & Schnell and Brad Garner from Weekly Farms in Plainfield, Wisconsin, as they delve into the transformative world of John Deere technology for vegetable farms. In this episode, they explore how John Deere AutoPath, Guidance Lines, and the Operations Center have revolutionized efficiencies on Weekly Farms' operation. Learn how these tools enhance farm efficiency, optimize crop management, and dr...

Tune in to this episode of Leap Forward as we explore the impact of AutoTrac Turn Automation with Ben Bartel, Vegetable Product Specialist, and Chad Kurszewski, Equipment Consultant at Riesterer & Schnell. Learn how this innovative technology is reshaping the agricultural landscape by planning and automating precise, repeatable, and efficient turns at the end of each pass. Ben and Chad provide valuable insights and discuss the ...

In this episode of Leap Forward with Riesterer & Schnell, we dive into the world of snow removal with John Klemp, Regional Sales Manager, and Hunter Leisner, Equipment Consultant. Discover the extensive range of John Deere snow removal equipment, along with a variety of implements and attachments designed for both residential and commercial applications. 

They cover snow equipment options for every customer—from walk-behind Arie...

Join hosts Wyatt Davidson and Trevor Balthazor as they dive into a comprehensive year-end review of the John Deere Operations Center. In this episode, they discuss the successes and challenges of 2024, highlighting key insights and best practices for managing your farm digitally. 

Learn how to analyze yield data, variety performance, and planting date impact using tools like Field Analyzer and Work Analyzer. The duo also highlights ...

In this episode of Leap Forward with Riesterer & Schnell, join Katie Bohm, Machine Monitoring Specialist, and Jason Knoener, Service Manager, as they dive into essential winterization tips, the benefits of off-season equipment inspections and John Deere Machine Monitoring. 

Learn how to prevent costly damage to your sprayers, planters, and more with proper off-season prep, and discover how machine monitoring and expert alerts ca...

Join us on this episode of Leap Forward with Riesterer & Schnell as we dive into the heart of harvest season with Andy Sorenson, Combine and Planter Specialist, and Marty Wilfert, Regional Sales Manager. 

Discover the cutting-edge features of the new John Deere S7 Series combine, including its advanced precision agriculture technology, enhanced automation systems, and superior grain handling capabilities. Learn how predictive gr...

In this episode of Leap Forward with Riesterer & Schnell, John Klemp, Regional Sales Manager, sits down with Nate Soldvedt, Commercial Application Specialist, to dive deep into the world of John Deere Sprayers and Application Equipment. Nate shares insights from the field, his background in custom application, and how Riesterer & Schnell is helping growers make the most of every pass.

Tune in for:

• Early Order Program deta...

In this episode of Leap Forward with Riesterer & Schnell, join Beau Dvorachek, Strategic Solutions Manager, as he talks to Todd Vogel, Hay & Forage - Product Specialist (the "Hammer"). With 16 years of experience at Riesterer & Schnell, Todd shares his invaluable insights into the world of John Deere Self-Propelled Forage Harvesters in various crops, including the importance of feed quality, and how proper equ...