Tractor Sales Up Despite Drought

A new industry snapshot suggests this year’s drought has had little effect on sales of farm machinery around the country. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers said Tuesday that sales of farm tractors were up 10.5 percent in November from the same month a year ago. Retailers reported selling 10,352 tractors nationwide. Sales of combines were down 1.3 percent with 517 sold in November. So far this year, sales of farm tractors have been up 10 percent over the first 11 months of last year with slightly more than 167,000 tractors sold. Sales of combines dipped a fraction of a percent, with nearly 8,900 sold.