August 2019 saw increases in U.S. sales of self-propelled combines and 4WD tractors as well as total U.S. 2WD tractor sales compared to August of last year, according to the latest data from the Assn. of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).

The home stretch of this year’s U.S. corn and soybean crops is still a ways off, unlike recent years when, by this date, farmers would be preparing their combines for harvest.

The editors of Ag Equipment Intelligence and Farm Equipment are once again conducting the annual Dealer Business Outlook & Trends survey. This is the 14th year the benchmark study has been conducted. Dealers are invited to submit their responses by Friday, Sept. 13.

While corn in the dough stage improved from 71% a week ago to 81% as of Sept. 1, the crop continues to trail last year’s development for this date, which was 95%, as well as the 5 year average of 93%. Corn dented is even further behind, with only 41% of this year’s crop at this stage vs. 73% last year on this date and 5 year average of 63%.

Sales management in farm equipment dealerships is undergoing major changes in which measuring the performance of the salesforce is becoming increasingly critical.

The latest Crop Progress report from USDA shows a small improvement in the condition of both corn and soybean crops as of Aug. 25. But, as expected, both remain significantly behind both last year's and the 5 year average when it comes to pace of development.

There was very little change in the overall condition of this year’s corn and soybean crop during the past week, but both continue to lag crop conditions at this point a year ago, according to USDA’s Aug. 19 Crop Progress report.

USDA’s Aug. 11 Crop Progress report indicates that neither the 2019 corn and soybean crops are where they would be typically at this point of the year and are still feeling the weather effects that caused the late planting season this spring.

USDA reports that, as of July 28, 58% of corn acres are silking. This up for 35% in the week prior, but far beyond the 90% a year earlier and the 5 year average of 83% for this date.