Page 215 - Peterson 85 Years and Going Strong

We incorporate Cat machinery in everything we do on the dairy.
– Jenneka DeJong, co-owner, Bonanza View Dairy and Windy Ridge Dairy
For years, the DeJongs have used skid steers in their manure management program. “I sold them a 259D track skid steer in 2013,” says Phillip Gosch, Peterson’s Klamath Falls general line salesman. “Back then they were using several Cat skid steers to scrape manure in the cow barns. Those machines have to travel over a mile and their top speed is 8.5 mph.” When Arie wanted to add another one to his fleet, Gosch suggested he consider a 906H-2 compact wheel loader with a travel speed of 22 mph. “It was a perfect fit for what they were doing. They understand that I’m not just selling them stuff. I’m making a conscious decision to make sure it works for them.”
And the DeJongs appreciate his efforts. “We in- corporate Cat machinery in everything we do on the dairy. Peterson helps us by coming out and looking over our business,” says Jenneka. “They see the application of a machine we’re looking for and help us brainstorm the best solution for that job. And we go from there.”
In 2014, the DeJongs bought three new Kirby feed trucks, but their existing Cat loaders didn’t have the lift height for them. So they asked Gosch to come out and brainstorm the problem.“What they needed was a bigger bucket with a higher lift ca- pacity. They use these feed wagons all day long, so
Phillip Gosch/Peterson salesman out of Klamath Falls, Oregon
a bigger bucket would give them faster load times. I suggested a Cat High Dump 6.5 rollout bucket, which would also give them an extra two to three feet height to dump. That’s what they went with.”
The DeJongs are related to one of the biggest dairy families in the world
“It’s my job to provide customers with what they think they need,” says Gosch, “but also to open their eyes to other possibilities. I might suggest trying something a little different to save them money long-term that will fit their program better. But it’s all driven by trust. Our business is based on relationships. I treat each customer the best I can. All the time.”
PRODUCT SUPPORT, PETERSON STYLE
Before Peterson moved into Oregon, the former Cat dealer dabbled in ag for a time but ultimate- ly pulled out. That turned a lot of customers away. Justin Moote was the equipment manager for a large farm in the Willamette Valley (2000–13) where everything that moved was green. “For us, money wasn’t the issue. It was all about who could fix something if it broke. John Deere was pretty much the only thing people wanted to buy or run because of the reputation Deere had with parts
CHAPTER 13 | 213