I-40 Implement
Owner: Dustin Tackett
Location: 3847 Happy Bend Rd., Atkins, Ark.
Company History: "The I-40 Implement Co, was opened in early 1990’s by John Knight. Then in November 2007 I bought it, along with Richard Harmon. The company has been here about 15 or 16 years in this same location."
Products and Services: "The products we carry are Vermeer and Kuhn, which are hay products and then there is Zetor Tractors. We also carry Land Pride which are brush hogs, and mowers and our newest company is Case IH which we have been trying to get that company since we started here. I-40 Implement Co. had the contract with the Case IH Company until about three years ago. We were proud to add it back to our line of products. Our best sellers are Vermeer, Kuhn and Land Pride right now. They have good quality and good warranties, they stand behind their equipment. Vermeer is an American family made tractor company in Pella, Iowa. They make everything right there in the factory, except the bearings and hoses. We service everything we sell, and more. Right now we have a John Deere, and a Massey Ferguson, also a Polaris tractor out in the shop being worked on."
How has the economy affected your company?
"It’s been pretty tough this winter; we are doing our best to grow the company. However, we would like to build in the future. We’d like to build a bigger show room, and increase the size of our parts department. Adding Case IH Company was a very positive step."
What is the best advice you can give farmers today?
“Don’t listen to all the negative publicity in the newspapers and the media today. Just keep on trying to make farming better, and live. Farming has been around forever, and it will continue to be around for decades to come, I’m sure. So look for the positive things that we can do to make farming better and more productive."
What advice would you give the young people today?
“Well, I’m chairman of the young farmers, and ranchers committee in Pope County Farm Bureau. I started out farming when I was 18 years old, right out of high school. By 19, I had my own farm with some acreage. I have to say Farm Credit helped me to get going, and they were good to me, and we use them here to finance equipment for our customers. They are willing to help young people I think, and that’s a good place to start.”
By Donna Parker
