Premier Equipment gearing up for busy spring season near Tavistock

Pictured are Premier Equipment service coordinators Samy Hopkins and Rhiannon Millie-Auger, and sales representatives Chase Becker and Bill Toms. Staff say spring preparations are already underway as farmers gear up for planting season. Gary West photo

By Gary West

With spring just around the corner, local farm-equipment dealers are already seeing increased activity as area farmers prepare for the 2026 growing season.

Travelling south of Tavistock on Highway 59, it’s hard to miss the lineup of green machinery at Premier Equipment, located just outside of town. The dealership, built on the legacy of several former John Deere dealers in the region, is now part of a larger network of 20 Premier locations across southwestern, central and eastern Ontario.

The Tavistock branch serves customers throughout Perth, Oxford and Waterloo counties, providing a full range of agricultural equipment, as well as lawn and turf, commercial grounds care and compact construction machinery.

In addition to John Deere products, the dealership also carries Stihl and Honda power equipment, along with a wide selection of parts, accessories and even toys and gift items in its showroom.

Premier Equipment employs 22 full-time staff at its Tavistock location, contributing to the local economy while supporting farmers and rural residents with equipment sales and service.

Company representatives say their goal is to support customers by helping improve efficiency and productivity on the farm and beyond.

Branch manager Scott Cassells and sales manager Bryan Long note the area’s connection to John Deere equipment dates back to the early 1950s, with early dealerships located east of New Dundee and in Shakespeare.

While spring sales activity is ramping up, the dealership remains busy year-round. Its service department and fleet of service vehicles are regularly on the road maintaining equipment used across the region, including machinery from a variety of manufacturers.

As planting season approaches, staff say they are seeing strong demand for both new equipment and seasonal maintenance, with farmers preparing their machinery for the busy months ahead.