The Association of Equipment Manufacturers said that sales of all types of farm tractors were up 4.8 percent during the first five months of the year when compared to the same time in 2009. May alone saw an improvement of 5.7 percent.
In all, year-to-date sales totaled 70,021 through May, compared to 66,798 last year. The only types of farm tractors that have seen a drop this year are two-wheel-drive machines with between 40 and 100 horsepower.
Sales of self-propelled combines have also seen declines, dropping 17.9 percent in May of this year. On a year-to-date basis, sales have dipped 0.4 percent to 2,912 units.
Some manufacturers are still recovering from the effects of the recession, although the AEM said earlier this year that 2010 should see some improvement that carries into next year.
Meanwhile, the Obama administration has set a goal of doubling exports over the next five years. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said sales of agricultural products made to destinations outside the country are on pace to hit the second-highest total ever seen
