Data & Forecasts

DataPoint: Producers Rate High Input Costs as Top Limiting Factor for Financial Situation

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400

According to Purdue University’s July Ag Economy Barometer, high input costs were by far the most frequently cited constraint, selected by 42% of respondents.

Sabanto Takes Autonomy ‘Leap’ with Bayer Investment

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Big news in the precision technology world. Sabanto takes another leap in its quest for widespread autonomy after receiving a big funding round from Leaps by Bayer, which is the strategic investment unit of Bayer.

Sitting Down with Innovator Gregg Sauder

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Last Friday, the Ag Equipment Intelligence editors were at the Morton-Illinois headquarters of 360 Yield with company founder and CEO Gregg Sauder. Sauder, who sold his Precision Planting company in 2012 for $250 million to Monsanto, is seeing success with his new company, and namely his invention of the 360 Rain, an autonomous system to irrigate and bring manure nutrients to the root of the corn.

Using Sensors to Measure Impact of ‘Soil Health Management’ Systems

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

Sand County Foundation, a national nonprofit conservation organization, is leveraging some cutting-edge precision technology to measure the true impacts of soil health management practices.

Deere’s FTC Settlement Not a ‘Decisive Loss’

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400

The used equipment market is shifting, says Andy Campbell, director of insights for TractorZoom. And while it’s not a total recovery, it is becoming more predictable.

[Podcast] Deere’s FTC Settlement & the Future of Ag Tech Innovations

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

In this episode of On the Record, brought to you by Associated Equipment Distributors, we look at John Deere’s settlement with the FTC and whether it’s a win or a loss for the OEM and dealers more broadly.

Deere’s FTC Settlement & the Future of Ag Tech Innovations

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

Providing Data Reports to Your Customers

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400

A data analytics team helps customers make sense of their data and use it to make improvements in their operations.

Crop Conditions Remain Good Despite Weather Concerns

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Corn and soybean crop conditions are outperforming expectations despite recent weather concerns, according to Baird Equity Research, but improved forecasts could limit price gains.

DataPoint: Irrigated Area Increased 10-fold, Per Acre Water Use has Declined

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Irrigated agriculture in the U.S. has expanded significantly since it was first included in the Census of Agriculture in 1890, according to USDA.

‘New Normal’ for Used Equipment Market

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

The used equipment market is shifting, says Andy Campbell, director of insights for TractorZoom. And while it’s not a total recovery, it is becoming more predictable.

NAEDA Cost of Doing Business Study Now Open

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The 2026 Cost of Doing Business Study (CODB) is underway, and the North American Equipment Dealers Assn. is asking dealers to submit financials to help reach their goal of 100+ participants.

Farm Capital Index Drops in June

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Farmer sentiment fell again in June according to the latest Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer, dropping from 119 in May to 113 points in June.

[Technology Corner] Farmers Gain Trust in Autonomy with PTx OutRun Retrofit Kit

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Here in the Technology Corner today, we’re talking about the PTx OutRun autonomous platform — a retrofit kit that enables autonomous grain cart, and now more recently, tillage operations.

Deere Seeks 2-Year Contract Extension with UAW

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Sat, 11 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400

According to news reports, John Deere has offered the United Auto Workers a 2-year extension of its current labor contract that expires in 2027 and is seeking a decision by Aug. 31.

400 Farmers Thoughts on AI, Land Values & the Farm Economy

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

New Ag Economy Barometer results reveal how producers view AI, profitability, equipment purchases, trade, and farmland values.

[Podcast] John Deere Labor Talks, Autonomy Adoption & Ag Economy Trends

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode of On the Record, brought to you by Associated Equipment Distributors, we look at John Deere’s proposal for a 2-year labor contract extension with the UAW.

John Deere Labor Talks, Autonomy Adoption & Ag Economy Trends

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode of On the Record, brought to you by Associated Equipment Distributors, we look at John Deere’s proposal for a 2-year labor contract extension with the UAW.

OEM Leaders Share Roadmap for Precision Growth

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

AGCO, CNH & Kubota leaders reveal insights on dealer development, key adoption trends & autonomy outlook

Getting Creative with Precision Technology in the Desert

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Precision specialist for 24-store Deere dealer thinks outside the box to help customers use cutting-edge technology on their farm operations

Crop Condition Regresses Slightly, Prices Remain Compressed

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

According to the June 29, 2026 Crop Progress report from USDA, crop conditions are just shy of consensus estimates but are overall in good shape.

The Combine Market Is Sending a Signal. Do You Have Access?

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

As we move into the summer of 2026, the combine market is in a better place than it was a year ago. Not dramatically better, but measurably. Trade Values & Trends is brought to you by Tractor Zoom.

DataPoint: Impact Iran Conflict Will Have on Farm Net Income

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0400

According to the latest Dealer Sentiments report, dealers say price contribution was up about 1.5% year-over-year compared to up about 1% the month prior.

Dealers Report Pricing Up 1.5% vs. Last Year

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0400

According to the latest Dealer Sentiments report, dealers say price contribution was up about 1.5% year-over-year compared to up about 1% the month prior.

Number of Big Dealers Drops in 2026

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0400

As consolidation continues to impact the ag equipment industry, the number of big dealers in North America dropped again for the 4th year in a row in 2026.

Dealers Gather for Inaugural AI Workshop & Networking Event

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Leaders from AgRevolution, Agriteer, Young’s Equipment, LoneStar Ag, KanEquip and more gathered in Rosemont, Ill., for the inaugural ViNE Event, hosted by the Vi by visorPRO team.

Compeer Financial Teams Up with PepsiCo on Strip-Till Equipment Financing

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0400

On June 11, Compeer Financial announced it was teaming up with PepsiCo and other industry partners to offer a pilot leasing program for strip-till equipment, helping offset upfront financial costs for farmers implementing soil conservation practices on their farms.

[Podcast] Making Strip-Till More Affordable, Big Dealer List Contracts

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode of On the Record, brought to you by Associated Equipment Distributors, we look at Compeer Financial and PepsiCo’s pilot program to help lower the cost of strip-till equipment for farmers.

Making Strip-Till More Affordable, Big Dealer List Contracts

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0400

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.