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Sticker shock at the parts counter

Some farmers preparing for the 2025 harvest say they’re seeing prices rise at the parts counter.

“We were able to get what we needed, and haven’t had to wait on too much, but prices on them are still increasing, for sure.”

Marty Marr, who farms in central Illinois, says it’s important to have his equipment in top shape before the harvest begins.

“You can go out of a dealership anymore with a small bag of parts and spend a lot of money, that’s for sure, but that’s the world we live in, unfortunately.”  He says, “You’re going to have to be prepared to go to the field and stay in the field.”

Evan Hultine, who farms in northern Illinois, tells Brownfield…

“You don’t hardly write a check for less than $1,000 anymore whether that’s for parts or anything.”  He says, “It’s hard to maintain equipment, let alone repair it, with the cost of things.”

Hultine, who also serves as the Illinois Farm Bureau vice president, says the added equipment costs are causing an even greater squeeze on farmers as commodity prices remain depressed and other input costs continue to rise.

Brownfield spoke with both at the 2025 Illinois State Fair.

AUDIO: Marty Marr – Illinois farmer