2019 continues to unfold as a good year for the smaller horsepower tractors and equipment which are driven by the U.S. general economy, and a weak year for production agricultural equipment sales as net farm income continues to decline.
U.S. farmers are persistent optimists. If that were not so, they would never risk their time, efforts and resources to produce a crop of unknown quantity to be sold in the future at an unknown price.
Tractor and combine sales for 2019 indicate an improvement over 2018 and the strength of the general economy will continue to power the smaller horsepower tractor sales.
Tractor and combine sales for 2018 showed a very good increase in nearly all categories and that growth will continue into 2019. Our models indicated growth above the normal replacement activity and that should provide for another good year ahead.
With new customers for our agricultural products coming into view in 2019 and the prospects of real progress in the dispute with China, there is reason to be optimistic about U.S. agriculture in the near future.
2018 has been the year of not only a base-building, but has shown some real strength in the larger tractor categories and in combines. 2019 is not going to be a year of dynamic growth in the markets but it is going to be one that will have growth equal to 2018, or better.
The limited cash available to farmers and ranchers in the U.S. will continue to put a dampener on the equipment markets in 2018 and 2019. The expanded depreciation programs that appeared in 2010 and reached its zenith in 2014 had the effect of pulling ahead purchases from future years. We are now enduring the results of that program.
Each monthly issue of Ag Equipment Intelligence is like getting one-on-one personal advice from the world's most trusted ag equipment industry experts. Advice that hasn't been watered down or distorted by outside influence, providing the latest and most insightful farm equipment analysis. AEI explores where the ag equipment industry is going — not just where it's been. No filler. No bias. No conflict of interest. You can access the PDF issue archive by clicking here.
The announcement of a partnership between New Holland and Bluewhite was one of the big precision stories of the summer. West Coast New Holland dealers now have the rights to sell, distribute and service Bluewhite’s aftermarket autonomy kits.