Tractor Sales Surge, Combine Sales Slow Down

Improved grain market prices, especially compared to a year ago, have farmers buying a lot more tractors, according to data released recently from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). Total farm tractor sales were 41.1% higher in February than they were the same month a year ago. Small tractors under 40 hp led the charge, with sales increasing 46.8%. Tractors over 100 hp were 45.7% higher than a year ago. One figure in AEM’s report on February sales bucked the general trend; four-wheel-drive tractor sales were down 3.4%. Given their greater dependence on strong commodity prices, sales in that sector could be a bellwether for sentiment on market direction among large farmers. See more from AEM’s latest report.