local dealers are a thing of the past. With the shrinking customer base per square mile that dealers have to work with traveling longer distances will be the norm. Also because of the shrinking customer base and the fact that dealers do not sell as many items as in the past (grinders, spreaders, rakes etc...) there is not allot of incentive for someone to take the risk of starting a new business. I do believe though that something will take the place of the individual brand local dealer. Multiple line dealers will become more common and farmers will become less color conscience when it comes to parts, after all a larger portion of components in today's machinery are outsourced by the major manufacturers. I look at how the corner grocery store and gas station evolved into the convenence stores that are in just about every little town. Someone saw an oportunity to supply a need and make money. This concludes Sunday morning's sermon, please turn in your hymnal to number 234 and stand as we sing "Beautiful Gleaner , Hyperize Me" Pete Hinrichsen