As reported by The Western Producer, Sales of new farm machinery across North America have been falling steadily since 2021, forcing both major manufacturers and smaller short-line companies to cut production and lay off workers.

According to Saskatchewan farmer and ag industry veteran Ben Voss, this decline goes beyond weak commodity prices or lower farm income. He believes the industry is facing a deeper, structural shift.

Large farms now control most of the land and are the main buyers of new, high-tech machines. But the traditional second-hand market — smaller farms buying used equipment — has shrunk. That means more lightly used machines are flooding the market, pushing resale values down sharply. Voss points to examples like nearly-new combines selling for hundreds of thousands less than list price.

As resale values drop, the cost of owning or leasing equipment rises — making farms less likely to trade in frequently. Many are turning to low-hour used models instead of buying new.

Another concern is technology. Today’s machines rely heavily on software and electronics that may become obsolete or unsupported within a decade. If something like a sprayer monitor fails and can’t be replaced, the machine could become unusable — even if everything else still works. Voss argues for a return to simpler, “manual mode” features to keep equipment running long-term.

This isn’t just a market dip, Voss warns. It’s a sign that the farm equipment industry must adapt to changing farm structures and rethink how it builds, sells, and supports machinery.