Data & Forecasts

DataPoint: U.S. Ethanol Exports Continue to Grow

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Fuel ethanol has grown into a major U.S. agricultural export commodity since the early 2000s. The United States exported a record 2.13 billion gallons of fuel ethanol during the 2024/25 (September–August) corn marketing year, surpassing the record set a year earlier by nearly 400 million gallons, or roughly 23 percent.

Dealers Forecasting 2026 Sales Revenue Down 4%

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0400

According to the latest Dealer Sentiments survey, dealers sales forecast for 2026 improved month-over-month. Dealers are expecting sales to be down 4% year-over-year, an improvement from the month before when they were forecasting a 7% decline.

[Podcast] Ag Equipment Tariff Cut to 15%; Plus, CNH Reorg Consideration & Latest Dealer Sales Forecasts

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode of On the Record, brought to you by Associated Equipment Distributors, we look at President Trump's tariff reduction on ag equipment, the latest dealer sales forecasts, and how high input costs are keeping farmer sentiment down.

Ag Equipment Tariff Cut to 15%; Plus, CNH Reorg Consideration & Latest Dealer Sales Forecasts

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Crop Plantings/Emergence Trends Point to Still Large Crop

Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

USDA weekly Crop Progress report shows 86% of corn planted (flat year/year, (+3% vs. recent average) and 60% emerged (-5% year/year, +2% vs. recent average).

DataPoint: Farm Financial Stress Exposure

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Wed, 27 May 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Auctions came up a number of times during Ag Equipment Intelligence’s Executive Summit between presentations and roundtable discussions.

Ritchie Bros. Completes BigIron Acquisition

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Tue, 26 May 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Auctions came up a number of times during Ag Equipment Intelligence’s Executive Summit between presentations and roundtable discussions.

CNH Dual Branding Changes

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Mon, 25 May 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Ag Equipment Intelligence learned that CNH underwent a larger layoff round and reorganized leadership responsibility in key sales, dealer development and other positions now managing BOTH the New Holland and Case IH businesses interests for its dealer network.

Innovative Farmer Boosts Efficiency with 360 RAIN, Precision Tech & Mixed Fleet

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Sun, 24 May 2026 08:00:00 -0400

On this special road edition of Technology Corner, we pay a visit to innovative farmer Robert Boyle in Coolidge, Ariz. Boyle reveals some of the secret weapons — including 360 RAIN — that help boost his profitability and efficiency on soils receiving only 7 inches of rain annually.

Interest Rates Remain Pressure Point

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Sat, 23 May 2026 08:00:00 -0400

The Wall Street Journal reported that during Fed officials’ meeting last month, they all but abandoned the question of whether to cut interest rates and have begun to seriously weigh whether to raise rates.

[Podcast] Future Interest Rate Cuts Unlikely

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 22 May 2026 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode of On the Record, brought to you by Associated Equipment Distributors, we look at the impact interest rates are having on the ag market.

Future Interest Rate Cuts Unlikely

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 22 May 2026 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode of On the Record, brought to you by Associated Equipment Distributors, we look at the impact interest rates are having on the ag market. In the Technology Corner, Noah Newman visits with strip-tiller Robert Boyle.

Deere Reports 2Q 2026 Net Income of $1.773 Billion

Thu, 21 May 2026 14:05:16 -0400

Production & Precision Agriculture sales decreased for the quarter as a result of lower shipment volumes.

U.S. & Canadian Sales of Combines Increased in April

Thu, 14 May 2026 17:15:03 -0400

According to new data from AEM, U.S. sales of combines increased 3.4% in April 2026 compared to the year before.

DataPoint: U.S. Pork Exports Projected to Grow

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Wed, 13 May 2026 08:00:00 -0400

The volume of U.S. meat exports in major categories is projected to grow through 2035, according to USDA long-term projection data. Rising incomes abroad and a projected weakening of the U.S. dollar are expected to boost demand for U.S. red meat and poultry.

AGCO Net Sales Up 14.3% in Q1

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Tue, 12 May 2026 08:00:00 -0400

AGCO reported its first quarter results on May 5. The company reported net sales of $2.3 billion, up 14.3% year over year. The 2026 Market Outlook remained mostly unchanged from the last quarter's estimates for North America and Western Europe.

Interest Rate Impact on Ag Industry

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Mon, 11 May 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Prescott Shibles, CEO of Farm Journal, publishers of the Machinery Pete brand, was interviewed last week by Jacob Donnelly, A Media Operator, at Omeda OX Summit in Chicago.

Farm Capital Index Hits Lowest Level Since October 2024

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Sat, 09 May 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Farmer sentiment dropped in April with the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer Index falling from 127 in March to 121.

[Podcast] Farmer Sentiment Drops in April with Current, Future & Capital Investment Indices All Down

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 08 May 2026 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode of On the Record, brought to you by Associated Equipment Distributors, we review the decline in farmer sentiment in April, which saw the Ag Economy Barometer and the Farm Capital Investment Index drop to their lowest levels since October 2024.

Farmer Sentiment Drops in April with Current, Future & Capital Investment Indices All Down

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 08 May 2026 08:00:00 -0400

AGCO Reports Q1 2026 Increased 14.3%

Fri, 08 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

AGCO reported net sales of $2.3 billion for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026, an increase of 14.3% compared to the first quarter of 2025.

DataPoint: Potential for Lower Equipment Prices

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 08:00:00 -0400

An April 6 poll from the editors of No-Till Farmer asked producers: The Trump administration wants manufacturers to reduce prices on farm equipment purchases. Do you think this is likely to happen this year?

European Ag Manufacturers’ Outlook Remains Largely Negative

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 08:00:00 -0400

The general business climate index for the agricultural machinery industry in Europe has continued to decline after entering negative territory for the first time since its upturn a year ago, according to CEMA’s April 2026 Business Barometer.

#Plant26: Johnson Tractor Precision Farming Specialist Saves the Day

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Planting season is here, and with it comes “busy season” for precision specialists. In today’s Technology Corner segment, we pay a visit to Patrick Johnson, who was planting into a strip-tilled field for the first time in Clinton, Wis.

Art’s Way Reports Increased Demand, Q1 Sales Up 27%

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Art’s Way Mfg., benefited from an increased demand for its ag segment products during the first quarter compared to the same period of 2025.

[Podcast] Art's Way Q1 Sales Up 27% and Yetter Finalizes Martin Acquisition as European Outlook Dips

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode of On the Record, brought to you by Associated Equipment Distributors, Art’s Way Mfg. benefited from increased demand for its ag segment products, reporting Q1 sales up 27.3%.

Art's Way Q1 Sales Up 27% and Yetter Finalizes Martin Acquisition as European Outlook Dips

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode of On the Record, brought to you by Associated Equipment Distributors, Art’s Way Mfg. benefited from increased demand for its ag segment products, reporting Q1 sales up 27.3%.

[Podcast] Preview of the Inaugural Ag Equipment Intelligence Executive Summit

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Lessiter Media CEO and longtime Farm Equipment editor Mike Lessiter shares a preview of the inaugural, invitation-only Ag Equipment Intelligence Executive Summit that will be held just outside of Chicago-O’Hare airport on May 19-20, 2026.

DataPoint: Whole Milk Shares Rise Amid Long-Term Decline in Total Fluid Milk Sales

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Total fluid milk sales have declined over the past 15 years, falling from a peak at about 55,433 million pounds in 2009 to 43,179 million pounds in 2024, according to data from USDA, Economic Research Service (ERS). This shift represents a 22-percent decrease, notwithstanding a modest increase from 2023 to 2024.

Monarch Tractor Shuts the Doors

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 08:00:00 -0400

According to several reports, Monarch Tractor vacated its Livermore, Calif., headquarters abruptly on April 3. This comes after the company laid off its workforce in late 2025, as we reported in our Nov. 27 episode.