Praised for his quality work and strong customer relationships, Idaho professional farm applicator Brent Klein has been named by AGCO Application Equipment as 2014 Operator of the Year. He was selected from among four finalists for the prestigious honor at the 2014 Agricultural Retailers Association Annual Conference & Expo held Dec. 2-4 in New Orleans.

Klein, with Simplot Grower Solutions of Ashton, Idaho, has 17 years of application experience, applying up to 38,000 acres annually. Customers specifically ask for him to perform their applications, and he is recognized for his commitment to do a professional job, even during the longest and hardest days and weeks in the fields.

AGCO Application Equipment Names Operator of the Year

Klein praised the Operator of the Year program for showing appreciation to application professionals. "The guys with their wheels on the dirt sometimes are the last to get recognized," he says. "I was kind of speechless when I was announced as the winner, because these other finalists are just as deserving."

Candidates for the annual AGCO Application Equipment Operator of the Year program are nominated by agri-retailers throughout North America based on their overall professionalism, customer service and support for their communities.

Klein received a new Harley-Davidson® motorcycle and all nominees were presented with a certificate of recognition, letting them know their professionalism and dedication are not going unnoticed.

"Operator of the Year winners are the best of the best, the go-to guys whom retailers and their customers rely on to get the job done," says Conor Bergin, tactical marketing manager for AGCO Application Equipment.

"Brent certainly meets that impressive standard.  He's highly valued for his overall professionalism, commercial application experience and dedication to help his customers maximize their crop production."

Klein is also active in his community, working with his local 4-H to support the Fremont County, Idaho, Fair.  He also assists growers who have their own application equipment by providing advice and troubleshooting tips.

Now in its ninth year, Operator of the Year is designed to pay tribute to the top custom applicators throughout the U.S. and Canada who spend long hours in the field every season, skillfully applying fertilizer and crop protection products over thousands of farm acres while operating sophisticated application equipment. 

For more information about AGCO's Operator of the Year program, visit www.applylikeapro.com.