Unit sales of compact tractors have been the historical bell weather used to gauge the general health of the rural lifestyle segment of the farm equipment business. As Rural Lifestyle Dealer marks its 10th year, it seems appropriate to review how the market for small farm tractors has fared over the last decade.

Rural Lifestyle Dealer magazine is celebrating our 10th year of covering the rural equipment market with this special anniversary issue. Congratulations to you as well for targeting this growing segment.

USDA expects the loans to be especially helpful to beginning or underserved farmers, U.S. veterans looking for a career in farming, and those who have small and mid-sized farming operations.

Rural Lifestyle Dealer magazine is celebrating our 10th year of covering the rural equipment market with this special anniversary issue. Congratulations to you as well for targeting this growing segment.

Kris Kiser, president and CEO of OPEI: "... the agency didn't go far enough. We fear consumers will remain confused and inadvertently misfuel their small engine equipment, in particular."

Sales were also up 10.4% for the last 3 months of 2015, compared with the last 3 months of 2014, and up 6% in 2015 compared with 2014.

This Farm Equipment webinar event featured insights from Greg Peterson, known in the industry as Machinery Pete, and Rick Vacha, regional sales manager with Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers’ ag division. The presenters discussed the current used farm equipment market and how farm equipment dealers can market their used equipment and use auctions to their advantage. [To view any of our webinar replays, you must be logged in with a free user account.]

Sales were impacted by softness in seasonal big ticket items such as snow blowers, log splitters and generators due to unseasonably warm weather.

The Equipment Leasing & Finance Assn. (ELFA) says that businesses will find opportunities for equipment investment as solid market conditions and an improving U.S. economy prevail over global headwinds and potential policy changes.