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U.S. equipment sales continue to reflect sluggish ag economy

The senior vice president with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) says the latest equipment sales figures are continuing to reflect overall sluggishness in the ag economy.

Curt Blades says factors like ongoing trade disruptions and geopolitical upheaval continue to weigh on the market.

“Certainty is what drives the market, and we’ve been uncertain for quite some time.”  He says, “The #1 indicator of tractor sales tends to be corn prices and net farm income, and we still have some question marks around those two factors right now.

He tells Brownfield U.S. tractor sales in February were down 12% compared to the same time last year.

“We ended 2025 about 20% down across the board on machines.”  He says, “We’re kind of seeing that softness continue with these February numbers looking the same way.”

Blades says February is not typically a strong month for tractor sales, but March and April should give a better indication of any economic impact from farm aid administered through the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program.

AUDIO: Curt Blades – AEM