U.S. tractor and combine sales continue to slip

Ag equipment sales have struggled over the last year, and the situation does not appear to be improving.

Tractor and combine sales fell nearly 14 percent last month. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers shows that tractor models with 100 or more horsepower were down 19 percent on the year, four-wheel drive sales dropped 20 percent, and combine sales are down nearly 40 percent.

Numbers were down across the board in February, too. AEM says the driving factors are low crop prices and a lot of unknowns.

Related Stories
The updated lineup helps producers boost efficiency while enhancing operator comfort.
Research shows a small number of companies account for much of the nation’s ammonia production capacity.
Farmers should watch for settlement notices and gather dealer repair invoices, proof of payment, and equipment identification records.
OOIDA’s Lewie Pugh discusses a new bipartisan surface transportation bill, industry efforts to address regulatory concerns, investments in truck parking and freight infrastructure, and the outlook for transportation policy.
RealAg Radio’s Shaun Haney discusses the next generation of Canadian agricultural policy, producer priorities, concerns surrounding risk management programs, and what the framework could mean for agriculture on both sides of the border.
Farm groups and equipment manufacturers say lower tariffs could help reduce machinery costs and support producers facing tight margins.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Paul Neiffer joined us to explain how USDA’s base acre expansion will be calculated, outline key deadlines for farmers, and discuss how the changes tie into farm program decisions and the broader Farm Bill outlook.
Chad Fiechter joins us to discuss Purdue’s precision ag study, challenges in capturing value from technology, and what farmers should consider when investing in and adopting these tools.
Ethanol demand held together last week, but lower production and thinner stocks put more focus on export strength. Production capacity is also strengthening over time and benefiting soybean farmers.
Farm Bureau Economist Dr. Faith Parum discusses USDA’s efforts to expand fertilizer capacity, signals for farm profitability, and AFBF’s Farm Bill expectations.
Kansas Congressman Derek Schmidt joins us to discuss House passage of the Farm Bill, its potential impact on farm profitability and stability, key policy compromises, and the outlook for Senate consideration.
The Purdue student team joins us to discuss how they developed Soy-Seal, their innovative soybean-based adhesive tape, and its potential ag impact.
Agriculture Shows
Hosted by Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady and RFD News Markets Specialist Tony St. James, Commodity Talk delivers expert insight into the day’s ag commodity markets just before the CME opens. Only on RFD-TV and Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.
A look at the news, weather and commodities headlines that drove agriculture markets in the past week.
Everything profits from prairie. Soil, air, water — and all kinds of life! Learn how you can improve your land with prairie restoration, cover crops and prairie strips, while growing your bottom line.
From soil to harvest. Top Crop is an all-new series about four of the best farmers in the world—Dan Luepkes, of Oregan, Illinois; Cory Atley, of Cedarville, Ohio; Shelby Fite, of Jackson Center, Ohio; Russell Hedrick, of Hickory, North Carolina—reveals what it takes for them to make a profitable crop. It all starts with good soil, patience, and a strong planter setup.