Lower Horsepower Tractors Bright Spot in Machine Sales

US retail sales of farm tractors under 40 horsepower were up 33 percent for March of 2016, and up 26 percent year-to-date. A report on Successful Farming at Agriculture.com says the 2 wheel drive category of tractors between 40 and 100 horsepower saw sales increase 10 percent in March compared with a year ago. High horsepower tractors didn’t fare as well. Two-wheel-drive tractors over 100 HP declined 32 percent. January to March sales dropped 38 percent compared to a year ago. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers says sales of the smaller tractors benefit from a broad customer base in smaller acreage farms and some livestock operations. Sales of larger production equipment are still significantly lower than a year ago as producers still feel the effects of lower commodity prices and higher used equipment inventories.

Source:  NAFB News