BRANDON — Machinery Pete told a full theatre of producers that their farm equipment is, in some cases, golden.
“There is a lot of demand for farm used farm machinery, if you have the right stuff,” said the farm auction watcher.
“Canadian equipment is a hot topic in the U.S. right now, even in the south, so you know it’s a big deal.”
Greg Peterson is the person be-hind the www.machinerypete.com website operated by the Farm Journal magazine’s AgWeb service.
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He attends and monitors farm auctions nearly every week of the year across the United States.
He said late model, used equipment prices improved last year after a poor showing in 2014.
“That improvement leveled out in (early December) and went flat,” he said. “Larger planters and self propelled sprayers are not doing too well. And 350 to 450 horsepower, four-wheel-drive tractors are pretty soft, too.”
The bigger, late model machines were traded off during the wave of new equipment buying that took place from 2009-13.
This equipment is too large for smaller producers and too small for larger producers. It often re-mains stranded until prices fall.
Peterson said Canadian producers have opportunities to attract U.S. buyers because of the lower dollar and more flexibility on prices compared to their U.S. neighbours.
Hot items include 10-year-old or older mechanical front wheel drive and two wheel drive tractors in good condition. These have been setting record prices all year.
“And anything that was in limited production or unique is bringing top dollar,” he said in an interview at Manitoba Ag Days in Brandon.
“An auction is never wrong. The price that is paid that day is what an item is worth.”
Used combines were stacking up on dealer and auction lots, but recently those too have started to move well.
Smaller implements and hay tools are selling well, likely as a result of stronger cattle prices, and this includes skid steer loaders.
For more details about specific models and pricing, visit producer.com.
