All segments return to the black for August in the U.S., while Canada ekes out small gains according to the latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).

U.S. total farm tractor sales climbed 9.9 percent in August compared to 2020, while U.S. self-propelled combine sales jumped 19.8 percent, the second month in a row of growth near 20 percent for harvesters. The sub-40hp returned to positive, growing 8.7 percent, while the mid-size 41-100 hp segment was up 5.4 percent. Heavy duty units saw significant growth, with articulated 4WD segment leading the way for the fourth straight month by climbing a healthy 40.4 percent to 306 units sold. The 100+hp 2WD segment also grew 37.8 percent, the exact same as last month. Year to date farm tractor sales remain up 13.3 percent and combines up 13.8 percent.

For Canada, August monthly tractor and combine sales were a mixed bag. The sub-40hp segment was up 5.8 percent while the biggest growth sector was in articulated four-wheel-drive units growing significantly, up 77.8 percent to 16 units sold. Total farm tractor sales were up 1.9 percent and self-propelled combines were up 28.7 percent.

“We are pleasantly surprised by the return to growth for small units in both the U.S. and Canada, and by a healthy rate,” said Curt Blades, senior vice president of agriculture services at the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. “In addition to the continued growth of the big row-crop units, I think the interesting story is harvesters, up nearly 20 to 30 percent in their respective markets. Farmers investing in more of these big machines is another indicator of that farmer optimism we’ve been seeing.”

The full reports can be found in the Market Data section of the AEM website under Ag Tractor and Combine Reports.

U.S.: https://www.aem.org/market-data/statistics/us-ag-tractor-and-combine-reports/

Canada: https://www.aem.org/market-data/statistics/canadian-ag-tractor-combine-reports/