AGCO reported it sales during the first quarter of 2019 were down 0.6% compared to the first quarter of 2018. Excluding unfavorable currency translation impacts of approximately 7.1%, net sales in the first quarter of 2019 increased approximately 6.5% vs. the same period of 2018.

Revenues from the sale of ag machinery were up 13% during the quarter to $211 million. For the first 9 months of the fiscal year, Titan reported farm equipment revenues increased by nearly 4% to $506 million.

In this week's podcast we look at how dealers' sales outlook for 2018 compares to that of the OEMs, cyber-based security threats to precision farming and an increase in non-real estate farm loans. In addition, we look into the University of Missouri's Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute's forecast for net farm income in 2018 and 2019, North American ag equipment sales through the first three quarters of 2018 and an improvement in irrigation equipment sales for Lindsay.

Generally, North American farm equipment dealers remain positive about their prospects for improving sales in the year ahead, according to the most recent results from the monthly Ag Equipment Intelligence Dealer Sentiments & Business Conditions Update survey.

North American farm equipment dealers lowered their forecast for 2017 sales in September. According to the latest Dealer Sentiments & Business Conditions Update survey, in September on average, dealers are forecast sales to be down 8% in 2017.

In today’s newscast we report on the results of the latest Dealer Business Trends & Outlook report, how the lifespan of precision farming equipment compares to machinery, a drop in ag equipment demand in 2015 and how 2014 equipment sales stack up against the 5- and 10-year averages.