Tractors

Scratch Your Classic Iron Itch With 3 Old Tractors That Still Steal the Show

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 20:18:11 GMT

Today’s tractors are jam-packed with GPS guidance and autosteer, sensors and camera arrays and LED lighting packages. Operators sit comfortably in air-conditioned cabs with built-in mini fridges full of cold drinks and responsive computing displays at their fingertips.

The whole deal gives the look and feel of a rolling mission control/home office on wheels and, quite frankly, many new tractor cabs are probably a whole lot nicer than your average home office.

There’s clearly no going back to the bare-bones, analog tractors with rigid metal seats and open air cabs Dad and Grandpa ran, but many of today’s farmers have cultivated an enduring affinity for the classic farm workhorses of yesteryear.

If you consider yourself among the legions of classic Iron Heads, check out this trio of recent Tractor Tales segments for a quick hit of some of that sweet, sweet farm machinery nostalgia:

Rebel With a Cause: The Ex-Pat Tractor That Wasn’t Supposed to be Sold in the U.S.

Southern Michigan farmer Nicklas Totzke might just possess the ultimate classic tractor trump card: a well-conditioned 1947 Empire 90 that Machinery Pete says is one of only about 380 known to exist today.

Totzke’s prized red Empire was originally shipped overseas to help rebuild bombed-out Eastern Europe farming villages devastated by the Axis blitzkrieg campaign during World War II. He says the spartan red machines are pretty “light duty” and were built with mostly Jeep Motor Company components — produced at the time by Willys-Overland and Ford Motor Company — and were used primarily to pull old horse drawn equipment.

Totzke says about 1,000 to 1,200 of the export-only machines reverse immigrated back to North America, ending up on farms across Canada and here in the U.S., which is how he ended up with his beloved Empire 90.

The Farmall 230 That Dutifully Trudges on in Pennsylvania Dairy Country

Pennsylvania dairy farmer Ed Thiele will never forget the day his father proudly test drove a brand new Farmall 230 around the streets of Butler, Pa. That impromptu dry run must have gone well, because today that same candy apple red beauty with the iconic pewter white IH hood ornament resides in his machinery shed near Cabot in Butler County.

“It’s been in the family ever since,” Thiele says, adding that if a fire were to set its sights on his treasured machinery barn, Dad’s classic Farmall — not the high-priced, expensive modern tractor he uses on his dairy operation — would surely be the first tractor he’d run into the flames to pull to safety.

While the machine today is semi-retired it can still run an auger, Thiele notes. The old tractor is in such good condition you can hardly tell it’s been chugging along for nearly seven decades at this point.

“Back in the day it had a sickle board mower on it, we raked hay with it, pulled silage wagons with it; we did everything with it when I was a kid,” he adds.

Wait, Machinery From the 80s Is Considered Classic Now? Well Then, That Makes Me Old

At one point in time, the John Deere 4840 tractor, at 180 hp, was the largest and most powerful row crop tractor in the manufacturers stable of farm machines. Illinois farmer Chad Jacobs says his 1982 edition represents the final swan song for the model itself, before Deere’s more advanced, new 4850 took its place in 1983.

Jacobs acquired the classic tractor to preserve his grandfather’s memory and heritage. Grandpa picked up the tractor out of necessity, right after tearing up the draw bar in his 4020 hauling manure.

“This is what was sitting on the [dealer] lot; it has 2,800 original hours on it,” Jacobs says. “We still drag a lot of wagons around, so it’s a wagon puller now.”

Jacobs farms with his brother, and the pair are working to teach the next generation of Jacobs progeny about the family farming legacy, passed down over all those rides in Grandpa’s trusty 4840.

“As far as me sitting in here and pulling wagons with it, it just brings back memories of my grandpa,” he says. “I think he’d be very proud of the fact that it’s still being used.”

For more classic Tractor Tales, head over to the @FarmJournal YouTube channel to watch archived segments, or follow Tractor Tales on X @TractorTales . New episodes of “U.S. Farm Report,” where new Tractor Tales segments debut, air every Friday afternoon on Farm Journal TV.

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Two Unlikely Teammates: NFL Quarterback and Young Tractor Prodigy Team up to Fuel Farmers

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 19:29:02 GMT

At just 10 years old, Jackson Laux of South Whitley, Ind., already knows more about antique tractors than most adults. His TikTok clips rack up thousands of views, and last year John Deere named him the company’s first-ever Chief Tractor Kid.

“It’s always been the mower tractor … I’ve never done anything else with it,” Jackson says matter-of-factly in one of his viral videos.

A Walking Tractor Encyclopedia

Ask Jackson about the best tractor in U.S. history and he won’t hesitate to rattle off a list.

“I’ve got about three of them that I would go in between,” he says. “The John Deere 4430, the John Deere 4020, and the John Deere Model A. Those are all tied for first.”

Pressed to choose just one? He goes with the Model A.

“Probably the Model A. They made 320,000 of them, from 1934 to 1952. It was a very popular tractor. It was the row crop tractor. You could run a rear loader or a front loader on it, and you could do everything with it. The John Deere D and the Waterloo Boy were more just the plow tractor. So it was the more versatile tractor — the A.”

That encyclopedic knowledge is exactly what has made Jackson a hit with tractor enthusiasts young and old.

From Grandpa’s Tractor to His Own Acres

Jackson’s passion started with rides alongside his grandpa. Now, he’s farming his own ground.

“I’ll be harvesting my first two acres this fall, and I’ll be helping my uncles and my grandpa with their corn,” he says. “When I was riding with my grandpa, I never thought I’d be here, farming my own two acres. It’s been a very cool experience.”

Teaming Up With an NFL Quarterback

This fall, Jackson’s tractor obsession took him beyond the farm field. He teamed up with NFL quarterback Brock Purdy and John Deere to surprise farmers during harvest with field meals: hot food delivered right to the cab of the combine.

“I was shocked,” Jackson recalls of meeting Purdy. “I don’t show much emotion, but it was pretty cool because I figured at some point I was going to meet him.”

For the farmers, the surprise was unforgettable.

“When they saw Brock come around the corner, the farmers lit up. They were really excited,” Jackson says.

The two even had some fun in the kitchen while feeding farmers, calling in back-up for help. You can watch that below.

Finding Common Ground

Even though they come from different worlds, Jackson says he and Purdy share some important traits.

“He’s just a down-to-earth guy, just like me. We’re both laid-back people,” Jackson says. “That’s my middle name — competitive.”

A Kid Who Connects Generations

From antique tractor debates to sharing meals in the field with an NFL star, Jackson shows how passion and hard work can bring people together.

This harvest, the 10-year-old Chief Tractor Kid reminds us sometimes the best meals aren’t at the table, but right in the field.

Their Work Doesn’t Stop There

In the weeks ahead, John Deere isn’t just feeding farmers in the field, but the company is also donating over 250,000 meals to Feeding America . In 2024, the company donated $6.6 million to Feeding America.

“At the end of the day, this is about showing up for the ones who show up for all of us,” says Jen Hartmann, global director of corporate reputation and brand marketing at John Deere. “Donating to Feeding America and delivering home cooked meals in the middle of a long day are simple gestures, but it’s our way of recognizing the people whose hard work puts food on all of our tables.”

You can follow Purdy and Jackson’s journey, along with how John Deere is helping fuel farmers, on John Deere’s TikTok and Instagram accounts.

Classic Iron: Farmer Fred Pflugh's Iconic Oliver 1855 Tractor Shines in Western PA

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 12:27:08 GMT

The western Pennsylvania borough that birthed NFL legend Joseph Willie “Broadway Joe” Namath is home to another legend of the green-and-white: farmer Fred Pflugh’s beautifully restored Oliver 1855 tractor.

(Fred Pflugh)

Pflugh, 70, has cobbled together an impressive collection of classic Oliver tractors; he thinks he acquired the 1855 back in 1988 or 1989. The old workhorse hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down just yet: “This tractor just wants to run,” Pflugh says. “It’s strong … it likes to throttle.”

Pflugh’s collection started with his Oliver 1655, and he just kept adding to the fleet over the years. He still farms corn, soybeans and hay to feed to his beef cattle on just over 120 acres, while his son and wife manage a local farm meat market that sells fresh freezer beef.

(Fred Pflugh)

“The 55-series is just a nice tractor,” he says. “They dressed them up from the fifties.”

Pflugh says it was the eye-pleasing look of the Oliver line that drew him in right off the bat. From the two front headlights to the styled grill and iconic white trim that sets off the engine compartment, the classic tractors have that timeless, from-another-era-Americana feel that you can’t replicate today.

Don’t let the good looks fool you, though: Plugh still uses the Oliver 1855 around the farm, grinding feed, mowing hay, disking fields and hauling manure to spread across his rolling Alleghany valley fields.

The tractor’s engine, a Waukesha Turbo, features a straight pipe exhaust that triumphantly juts to the heavens from the front hood scoop. Waukesha Motor Company (Waukesha, Wis.) was founded in 1906 and built over 400,000 lightweight, powerful tractor engines before closing shop for good in the early 1970s. Oliver Tractor Co. was reportedly the engine builder’s largest customer, according to the Waukesha Engine Historical Society.

(Tractor Tales)

Pflugh makes no bones about how he envisions the future for his Oliver fleet: These steeped-in-history tractors will never leave the family farm.

“I think my son will keep them all up, and I wouldn’t doubt that he’ll be showing them, too, ya know,” he says. “I like that they still go to the field, and I like them on this farm, I can tell you that.”

Want more classic Tractor Tales? Head over to YouTube and hit the “Subscribe” and “Thumbs Up” buttons to get the latest episodes on your YouTube feed.

Your Next Read: Machinery Pete’s Fourth of July Farm Equipment Highlights

Big Bud Tractor Roars to Life After Farmer’s Awesome Restoration

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 11:53:05 GMT

The tractor talked. Every spring, Alan Brecka drove by a massive steel frame beckoning just off the turnrow. Despite scars on the belly and rubber rot after a 40-year slumber in 8” of dirt, she was still a beautiful old girl—a KT450 classic, one of only 516 Big Bud tractors manufactured between 1969 and 1991.

Brecka bought her. Winches and cables, he hauled home the 43,000-lb. load and began a complete breakdown from bolts to brakes, cab to clutch, powertrain to paint.

“I’ll never forget being alone in my shop after we’d torn it into over 900 separate pieces,” Brecka says. “I asked myself, ‘What have I done? Am I biting off more than I can chew?’”

Restoration became art in the hands of Brecka —a master craftsman with a chain of remarkable rebuilds from golf carts to classic cars to trucks to tractors. Completed in 2025, the meticulously overhauled KT450 is a labor of love and an absolute rolling beauty.

“Sometimes there’s more to a restoration than seeing or hearing it come back to life—it’s something that has to be felt,” he says. “That’s how it is with this Big Bud. There is something deeper going on.”

In the Blood
Surreal. Peaks of the Rocky Mountains beckon outside Alan Brecka’s farm office window.

His 4,100 acres of wheat, mustard, lentils, pea, flax, and barley are an hour from the towering range, and an hour north of the U.S. border on flats and gentle rolls outside Picture Butte, Alberta.

In 1994, Brecka, 16, drove home a Mercury M1 from a neighbor’s barn and woke it from a deep sleep.

(Photo by Brecka Farms)

A walk around his farmyard includes introduction to far more than agriculture machinery, i.e., the showpiece gleam of a 1976 2WD Chevrolet short-bed truck, a 1965 V-8 Chrysler Windsor, a 1952 Mercury M1 truck, and an odd unicorn—a circa-1959 blue golf cart made by Electro-Motive Industries.

Brecka’s grandfather, John, an engineer-blacksmith by trade, immigrated to Canada from Czechoslovakia in 1938 on the eve of World War ll, and began working in sugarbeet fields around Picture Butte before buying land in 1939. Brecka’s father, Stan, continued farming into the next generation. Brecka, 45, spent 10 years out of high school as a heavy-duty mechanic, before switching full-time to the fields.

Brecka’s unicorn rebuild, left, a circa-1959 blue golf cart made by Electro-Motive Industries.

(Photo by Brecka Farms)

“Ever since childhood, I’ve been keen to tear into things, learn how they function, and make them better,” Brecka says. “I’m fascinated by old tidbits of the past, especially mechanical history, and I’ve always felt a sense of genetic aptitude.”

Restoration in the blood. Why not a Big Bud?

Steel Bones
In 2023, Brecka entered the tractor market—poking prices and checking auction trends. “Our farm needed a second four-wheel drive. Why not find something to fix up for way cheaper, instead of paying big money?”

“It’s absolutely amazing to think that you can rebuild something that loud and powerful,” Brecka says.

(Photo public domain)

A stone’s throw away, on a farm where Brecka did custom work, the solution to his search hid in plain sight: a KT450 Big Bud and its flip-top cab, with a 13-speed transmission powered by a Cummins 18.8L 6-cyl diesel—a pulling monster built by Northern Manufacturing Company (NMC) in 1978. (In 1969, Willie Hensler and Bud Nelson formed NMC in northcentral Montana’s Hill County. Over 22 years, until the business shuttered in 1991, 516 Big Bud tractors were produced.)

“When I was a kid, my neighbor bought the Big Bud, but didn’t run it very long before the motor quit,” Brecka explains. “They pulled the motor and parked it, basically forever. It was never fixed and sat out in the open for decades. Whether I was seeding or spraying, I’d drive by year after year, and there it was, still aesthetically nice to the eye, engine off to the side.”

Hauling home the Big Bud on March 1, 2024: two turns and a straight shot to the Brecka farm.

(Photo by Brecka Farms)

Running the numbers, Brecka estimated purchase and refurbishment at a fraction of the price of a new tractor. “I was watching Welker Farms on YouTube and their work motivated me. If they can fix a Big Bud, why can’t I? I predicted a quarter cost of a new 600-hp tractor.”

After barter, a deal was done. On March 1, 2024, Brecka, and his teenaged son, Johnny, along with a farm operator employee, woke the Big Bud KT450 from a 40-year hibernation. They hooked a Case 550 Quadtrac to the KT450, caboosed with a truck to control braking and turning via a winch cable. Rolling at 3-4 mph, the trip was two turns and a straight shot home. All in, the process took a half-day to get the KT450 from turnrow grave to Brecka’s 65’ wide, by 120’ long, by 22’ high shop.

Time to break down the bones of a magnificent beauty.

Puzzle Pieces
“We took it down to bare bolts and had a sea of parts—maybe 800-900 pieces. We took plenty of photographs at every stage of breakdown to make sure reassembly was correct.”

As crop season kicked in, Brecka worked on the Big Bud when time allowed. “Sometimes, I’d walk away for weeks, and sometimes work two to three hours on it after a regular day on the farm.”

Reborn: Hydraulics, electrics, decals, fluids, air lines and so much more.

(Photo by Brecka Farms)

Brecka was generous with pity and time. “You gotta be careful in any restoration. Patience is No. 1. It’s almost a guarantee that if you rush at any stage, things will go sideways.”

Transmission, drive shafts, radiator, engine, wiring, radiator, tires—and all points in between—everything was reconditioned or rebuilt. And the most difficult aspect of rebirth, according to Brecka? Sourcing the puzzle pieces.

“It got hard to find almost 50-year-old obsolete parts. Each part meant a different search. The parts are out there, but you have to dig deep on some. I was in contact with Ron Harmon, the original designer of Bid Bud. He and his staff were very helpful.”

Cab interior work was placed in Johnny’s steady hands. “He rebuilt the interior and is very, very skilled. Buddy seat in the corner, sound-deadened cab, all done exactly right. He’s blessed with persistence and is highly task-oriented. When he got done, the cab was perfect.”

“What a feeling of satisfaction on completion,” Brecka says. “It was so awesome to see my employees loving it; my son excited; and my wife appreciating it.”

(Photo by Brecka Farms)

Month after month, piece over piece, the Big Bud took shape. “For long periods, it seemed like nothing happened,” Brecka describes. “Then suddenly you put several parts together and you have a rolling tractor.”

Makin’ Smoke
After an estimated 500 hours of shop work, almost a year from the date of purchase, Brecka opened his shop doors and released a beautiful beast—a superb work of art and utility. Immaculate.

Next up for Brecka? Completion of wiring and interior for the Mercury M1.

(Photo by Brecka Farms)

Crank and roll. The sound of raw power—a low bark packed with tremendous torque. “It was a true adrenaline rush,” he says. “What a feeling of satisfaction on completion. It was so awesome to see my employees loving it; my son excited; and my wife appreciating it. A job well done by us all together.”

In 2025, Brecka’s Big Bud is already in the field, pulling a vertical disk. And beyond fieldwork, the tractor is drawing attention from prospective drivers. “I’ve already had guys come from hours away just to see it or get a chance to operate it,” Brecka notes. “They’re genuinely appreciative and excited to just sit in the cab and drive it down the row.”

Another beauty: Brecka’s 1965 V-8 Chrysler Windsor.

(Photo by Brecka Farms)

“It’s absolutely amazing to think that you can rebuild something that loud and powerful,” he continues. “And to see others giving a big thumbs-up or breaking into a smile at seeing it without saying anything, that shows that no words are necessary. It just feels right.”

Lessons Gleaned
Next up for Brecka? Completion of wiring and interior for the Mercury 52—a lifelong project he bought at 16 years young. And when the Mercury is done? A 1950 International 2-ton truck is parked in the farmyard, patiently awaiting surgery.

Brecka’s Big Bud in fieldwork, 2025: “Sometimes there’s more to a restoration than seeing or hearing it come back to life—it’s something that has to be felt.”

(Photo by Brecka Farms)

The mechanical lessons gleaned during any restoration extend to life experience, he concludes.

“I’m blessed to have a big shop and mechanical knowledge, but everyone doesn’t have access to restore something as large as I did. But they can still restore something that has meaning and utility in their life.”

“Maybe that something is very small, but it’s just as worthwhile as what I’ve done,” Brecka adds. “Take the time to invest your energy into the right object or project and you’ll touch something deeper.”

For more from Chris Bennett (@ChrisBennettMS or cbennett@farmjournal.com or 662-592-1106), see:
Corn and Cocaine: Roger Reaves and the Most Incredible Farm Story Never Told

Grit, Grease, and Gears: Meet the Colorado Teen Breathing New Life into Old Tractors

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 19:57:13 GMT

Colorado teenager Tyson Hansen is a shining example of that old saying “If you start them young…”

That’s because Hansen, 17, has cultivated a rare passion for buying and restoring classic tractors. It is a passion passed down from his great grandfather, who started the Hansen family farm and pieced together a massive tractor fleet over the years.

“He had over 200-some tractors, mostly two-cylinder, and when he passed, they had the big auction and my dad bought one to remember him by, and well now it’s our family tractor,” Hansen remembers. “My dad still talks about the first day he let me drive it, and he always says since that first ride, I was just hooked.”

The tractor that launched his lifelong love for tractors - the 1934 John Deere GP in all its glory.

(Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions)

That first taste of classic tractor heaven was on the hardened steel green seat of a 1934 John Deere GP, a popular two-plow row crop setup John Deere built and sold from 1928 to 1935.

The high school junior says he’s wrenched on about 16 to 17 classic tractors at this point, all while participating in his high school FFA program and wrestling for the varsity team. And it’s not a hobby he tackles alone in a dusty, dark barn – his dad, stepmom, and brother all pitch in and help out. Because everyone knows nothing brings a family closer than bonding over busted knuckles and stripped chassis bolts.

Tyson says his family is “pretty much a John Deere family” but that he has started to feel the pull from other legacy brands.

“I started out as a John Deere guy, but I don’t even actually own any John Deeres,” he says, adding that right now his personal collection consists of two classic Case IH tractors and two Farmalls.

That doesn’t mean a young man can’t dream big, though, and Tyson’s big dream restoration project is to someday fix up a John Deere Model R.

He purchased his latest tractor, a Case 400 Super Diesel Western Special Edition with a hand clutch – one of only eight ever built, he says – with the goal of fixing it up and flipping it to raise enough cash to make that dream a reality.

“Once I got that tractor I went online and looked up some Facebook groups where the guys are all about Case, and I didn’t know anything about them at the time, so I just started asking guys for help and next thing I know within an hour I had about seven or eight texts from guys asking to buy that thing off me,” he says. “That’s when I realized that 400 is a little rarer than I figured it would have been.”

His Case 400 is also going to end up helping his fellow students in the FFA program. Tyson’s FFA teacher has asked him to bring the 400 in and is going to let the young man lead his classmates through a lesson on how diesel engines work.

Work is a key word in any farming family, and the Hansen family is no different.

“I don’t know why, my dad always tells me I won’t like it when I am out of high school, but I like to work,” Hansen says. “I guess I’ve just got a working mindset – I’m not the biggest fan of sitting in the house.”

Check out Tyson Hansen’s latest Tractor Tales spotlight below, where the teen shows off his rebuilt Case 400 tractor. And subscribe to the Farm Journal YouTube channel to get all of the latest Tractor Tale videos.

Also keep an eye on U.S. Farm Report every Saturday morning for the debut of the newest Tractor Tales feature.

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Touching Tractor Tribute: Farmers Bid Farewell to Steve Hamm, a Loyal Lifeline in the Field

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 22:03:22 GMT

A love for tractors and an admiration for John Deere green. That’s how you’d describe Steve Hamm, a John Deere mobile technician for 30 years. A father and grandpa, he was loved by many, as many in the community will tell you he was truly dedicated to his craft.

“Steve was a pioneer for that kind of knowledge. We really depended on him,” says Chris Roberson, general manager of Ag-Power, the John Deere dealership in Richmond, Mo., where Steve worked.

“He was a man of integrity,” says Dennis Estes, who worked with Steve at Ag-Power, but was also Steve’s friend and the pastor at his church. “He had a passion for what he did, and he was a person who served a lot of people.”

As a technician, Steve’s career revolved around service, but even then, Steve went above and beyond time and again.

“He lived to serve,” Roberson says. “He put everyone else above him or before him, and he was on call all the time. Whether it involved work or even personal family matters. He was always able to be reached and counted on.”

“You look at the communities that Steve served, people from small towns and everywhere else who called Steve, if it was 10 at night, Steve took the call,” says Estes.

Friends of Steve Hamm say he adored his family.

(Photo provided by the Hamm Family )

Estes says for area farmers, Steve was a loyal lifeline in the field, providing a service no matter the time and no matter how challenging the issue was that needed fixed.

“This equipment is so complicated these days. And Steve pursued the passion of always learning,” says Estes. “If there was anything he couldn’t fix, he found out how to fix it, and he wouldn’t quit. He had the passion that made him pursue that until he got it. And I think that’s what really sets him apart.”

Roberson says on paper, Steve was a master technician, which is the highest honor you can receive as a John Deere technician. But he was more than that. Steve had a wealth of knowledge he passed on to others.

A man who dedicated three decades of his life to helping others was remembered in a remarkable way this past week. On a crisp, sunny Tuesday morning, those same farmers who Steve served for all those years found a way to show just how grateful they were.

“I’ve never seen a tribute for somebody that was more compelling probably than that tribute,” Estes says.

An aerial view of the touching tractor tribute for Steve Hamm in Richmond, Mo.

(Matt Mormann )

Tractor after tractor, combines with their augers out, all lined the road next to the cemetery where Steve would be laid to rest.

“I couldn’t help but think as we were doing the graveside service the effort made by so many people to be there,” Estes says. “As I looked up on the hill at all of the farmers, it was almost as if it was a mist because you could see the moisture in the eyes of so many of these people, many hardened individuals. Farmers who are used to being out in nature and fighting it, whether flood or drought or whatever it is, and through that toughness, they still had those kind of feelings for Steve.”

Steve Hamm was laid to rest on Tuesday, and farmers were there to pay tribute and witness his final ride.

(Tyne Morgan )

Farmers who never had the chance to say thank you or goodbye, stepped up to the call this week with a touching tractor tribute.

“He deserved every bit of that tribute. He didn’t ever ask for it. I hope he’s smiling down on us,” Estes says.

The touching tractor tribute was a nod to something Steve loved so much, as he took his final ride.

Machinery Pete: Now's The Best Time To Be An Aggressive Value Buyer

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 17:00:00 GMT

A picture is worth a thousand words, right? Feast your eyes on the latest supply and demand chart on used planters for sale at MachineryPete.com. It tells you definitively what you already knew: that used planter values are down in 2024. How could they not be with diverging supply and demand lines?

November/December Top Producer Supply and Demand Chart

(Machinery Pete)

Here are two key realities I glean from looking at this chart:

1. The supply of used planters was at an all-time low two years ago as 2022 turned into early 2023. But note the steady rising blue supply line over the past two years into late 2024. Farm equipment dealers today have far more large, late-model used planters on their lots than they’d like.

2. Farmer buyer demand for used planters fell off a cliff starting June 1, a much steeper drop than what we’d expect seasonally. Corn below $4 will do that.

The whipsaw has been challenging for farm equipment dealers. It wasn’t long ago they had limited quantities of new planters available to sell. Early order programs (EOPs) on planters were one red-hot ticket. If you wanted a new planter, you had to scramble to get your name on your dealer’s list. It might not be delivered in time to plant, but what are you going to do?

By the time summer 2024 rolled around, dealers began to scramble to take excess large, late-model used planters from their lots out to auction. I’m quite sure they weren’t liking the sale prices they were getting on these large, late-model, used planters at auction, but the alternative was holding them on the lot and paying 8% interest on them. Big ouch.

The first nine months of 2024 saw a 576.9% increase in the number of zero-to-3-year-old planters sold auction compared the same time two years ago. From someone who has been compiling used-equipment values for 35 years, I have to say, that is an eye opener. Not surprisingly, auction prices on late-model, used planters have softened.

A good example is a 2022 Kinze 4705 36R-20 planter with 1,532 acres that sold on June 26 in Ann Arbor, Mich., for $233,200. If you flip back to 18 months prior during a Dec. 5, 2022 auction in Hamlin, Iowa, a 2021 Kinze 4705 36R-20 planter with 900 acres sold for $326,000.

My Key Takeaway
Timing is everything. It’s great to be selling when buyers can’t get new, and used values are at an all-time high, but it’s not as fun to be a seller when values are falling and there’s an excess of good, used equipment available.

Watch for dealers to continue to aggressively push a high volume of large, late-model, used planters out to auction from now into 2025. Of course, if you’ve followed my Machinery Pete advice for years now, you know the next truth-nugget I’ll share.

When other folks don’t feel like buying and are pulling back, it’s exactly the best time for you to be an aggressive value buyer.

How Many Corn Acres Will Buy A New Tractor?

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 17:00:00 GMT

In times of tight margins, every purchase must have a purpose with ROI top of mind. As you optimize your equipment, crop inputs, farmland and business intellect for the year ahead, take the time to plan your work, and then you work your plan.

After the 2024 Top Producer Summit, Terrain economist Matt Clark had a question to answer: Are equipment costs getting too high?

“There has been a narrative shift from labor as the top issue no one sees going away to now being equipment costs as burdensome,” he says.

Spurred by those conversations, Clark researched equipment expenses today compared to four years ago. He notes from 2020 to 2023, the consumer price index (CPI) has increased 17%, and the price index for ag equipment is up 30%.

“On top of the sticker price, financing expenses have risen,” he says.

Hear more from Clark at the 2025 Top Producer Summit. Registration is open now.

From the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City’s ag finance data, in the first half of 2024 the average size of equipment loans is up 41% compared to the same time in 2020. In four years interest rates are up 5.25% — now north of 8%.

“Take these things together: equipment is more expensive, loans are larger, interest rates are up and the average maturity is up,” he says.

The Kansas State Farm Management book has farm equipment costs up between 25% and 40% in three years, depending on non-irrigated or irrigated operations. The University of Minnesota calculates equipment costs up 25% to 30% from 2020 to 2023.

Track The Trend Line
On the balance sheet, where should equipment budget out to be?

“The sentiment matches the data. Gross receipts aren’t expected to keep up with this uptick in new machinery expenses,” Clark says. “It’s a substantial part of your production costs.”

Clark analyzed new tractor pricing since the 1980s, and while it’s accelerated quite a bit in recent years, there’s a trend line of how it correlates with cost per acre.

He’s used a metric of dividing the cost of equipment by the gross farm income on an acre of corn using national average yields and prices.

“Over time, the ratio has been cyclical with a long-term average,” he says. “It’s around 350 acres of corn to buy a new 200 hp tractor and slightly less than 450 acres of corn for a 300 hp tractor. On the cyclical nature of that — tractors are priced above that or below that cyclical average. Right now, we are trending above the historical average after several years of trending below average.”

Long-Term Implications
Clark says this trend will lead to a shrinking pool of new buyers.

“With the compression in margins, consolidation and higher interest rates (for now), it will be harder for a small farm, for example in Kansas referencing its data, to justify buying new given the overall trajectory and direction of these equipment pricing trends,” he says.

The disconnect between what makes equipment more expensive (labor, steel, energy, transportation, computer chips, etc.) and what drives farm income (commodity prices) will continue to drive this discussion of machinery costs versus value, Clark says.

“The efficiency gains are where it’s at. With bigger equipment we can farm more acres,” he explains. “There is still a sweet spot of farmers getting more productive when upgrading equipment. And for some, the ability to automate also brings additional gains in productivity.”

Your Next Read: How One Farmer Turned the 1980s Disaster Into Enduring Success

Consider Becoming A More Aggressive Buyer This Year

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 18:00:00 GMT

It’s funny how quickly trends can do a 180.

Remember the worldwide supply chain mess coming out of the pandemic? In our ag sector, it was difficult to get that new tractor, combine, planter, sprayer or baler you wanted. Manufacturers weren’t able to make enough to meet demand. Dealers had very limited allotments. You felt lucky or blessed to get your name on the list.

Then you crossed your fingers and said your prayers for your new combine or planter to show up in time for harvest or planting.

Of course, things are radically different just over two years down the road. The shocking reality from the equipment auction front for the first half of 2024 is a great example: There was a whopping 74.2% increase in the number of 1-to-2-year-old equipment items sold at auction versus last year.

If you compare those numbers to 2021, it’s even more eye opening. A 351.7% increase in 1-to-2-year-old equipment items were sold at auction in the first six months of 2024 versus 2021. There were hardly any available then, but there’s an ocean’s worth out there now.

Not surprisingly, auction price levels have softened as a result of this.

If you look at the last big downturn in used farm equipment values, in 2014 to 2015 after commodity price levels dropped, we saw the steepest drop in large, late-model farm equipment values in my 35 years of tracking this market daily. There were year-over-year average auction price drops in the 20% to 25% range for both 2014 and 2015.

But I saw only 312 1-to-2-year-old equipment items sold at auction in the first half of 2014, and that only bumped up a smidge in 2015 to 456 sold. Compare that to 757 in the first half of 2023 and 1,319 in 2024.

What’s The Difference?
To understand this gaping difference, we need to pull back and recount the difference with dealer networks now versus 10 years ago. There are far fewer dealer owner groups now. And as they do today, dealers back then had excess large, late-model used equipment on their lots.

This was problematic for dealerships with two to four locations to aggressively push out their used inventory. Today, the mega size dealer groups have been much more proactive at working to pare down their excess large, late-model used inventory and get ahead of the issue. This movement started July into August of 2023 mainly with late-model combines and saw another huge bump with year-end auctions in November through December. The losses per machine have been painful for dealers. We’re likely to see lots of 1-to-2-year-old equipment items offered at auction during the rest of 2024.

The Machinery Pete Takeaway
In terms of looking ahead to upgrade your farm’s equipment fleet through used purchases, I think it could be dangerous to rely on past patterns from decades ago. The excess is turning much faster this time. This signals that you might want to consider being a more aggressive buyer earlier than you thought you’d have to be.

Machinery News: New Holland Announces Aftermarket Autonomy Partner, Layoffs Continue

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 17:39:23 GMT

Equipment Manufacturer Layoffs Roll On at AGCO, John Deere

As ag equipment companies continue to face weakening demand and a farmer user base discouraged by low commodity prices and high operating expenses, another round of job cuts was announced this week.

John Deere is handing out pink slips to 279 workers at its East Moline, Illinois, Harvester Works plant, according to WRAM 1330 AM in Monmouth, Illinois. The dismissed employees last day is August 30th, according to the report.

Combined with rounds of layoffs in Urbandale, Waterloo, and Ankeny, Iowa, John Deere has slashed just north of one thousand workers from its employment base over the last two months.

One of John Deere’s chief rivals in the large ag equipment space, Duluth, Georgia-based AGCO Corporation , confirmed this week that it will reduce it’s overall salaried workforce by about 6%. The company did not specify which of its locations will be affected by the cuts.

The company estimates that it will incur charges for one-time termination benefits of approximately $150 million to $200 million in connection with severance payments, employee benefits payouts, and related costs.

According to KSN.com in Wichita, Kansas, AGCO reps said the decision to reduce its workforce is not directly related to its shift in production to Mexico, which was announced earlier in June.

Meeting with a group of ag media this week at its 2024 Tech Day event in Salina, Kansas, AGCO President and CEO Eric Hansotia expressed his dismay in confirming the layoffs. He pointed to the cyclical nature of the ag equipment industry while pledging that his organization will uphold the affected workers dignity and respect as the process moves forward.

New Holland, Aftermarket Autonomy Startup Collaborate on Driverless Orchard Tractors

New Holland and Bluewhite, an autonomous technology company, announced a multi-phase partnership to collaborate on distribution, manufacturing and integration of Bluewhite’s autonomous solutions for New Holland tractors in North America.

The partnership will enable New Holland tractors to operate fully autonomously in orchards, vineyards and other specialty crop operations.

Now select New Holland dealers in the western U.S. have the rights to sell, distribute and service Bluewhites’s aftermarket kits for existing New Holland tractors.

Order writing will begin this summer, with future regional and global expansion to come.

New Holland says the capabilities of Bluewhite’s technology bolsters its strategy to bring autonomous solutions across all segments it serves, and it builds upon CNH’s acquisitions of Raven, Augmenta, and Hemisphere, which are driving New Holland’s autonomy offerings for row crop and broad acre farmers.

“The integration of Bluewhite into our technology stack allows our customers to access much-needed autonomous technology in an attainable aftermarket solution,” said Carlo Lambro, Brand President of New Holland.

Bluewhite, formerly Blue White Robotics, leverages AI, sensor fusion, advanced vehicle integration and precision implements control to help growers remotely manage their fleets and data. Bluewhite leadership says its autonomous farming technology has been field tested on multiple crops and tractor models across 150,000 acres in the U.S.

Founded in 2017 by Ben Alfi, Yair Shahar and Aviram Shmueli, Bluewhite is headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel, with offices in Fresno, California.

“Our long-term partnership with CNH and New Holland combining autonomous technology with tractors and harvesters in the orchards and vineyards sector is a milestone in achieving our mission of making cutting-edge innovation accessible to the agriculture sector,” said Ben Alfi, Chief Executive Officer, Bluewhite.

New Holland and Bluewhite are also exploring future possibilities for factory-installed solutions.

John Deere Adds Versatile Midsize 6M Tractor to Model Year 2025 Machines

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 14:42:20 GMT

John Deere is launching a new 6M tractor to add to its Model Year 2025 class of machines , according to the company.

With 18 different models, engine options with 95 to 250 horsepower and five frame size options, the 6M tractor can be customized to fit the needs of farms and ranches. Deere says the 6M tractor is also fuel-efficient and easy to operate.

“The new 6M tractor is bigger, smarter, faster and more efficient and customizable, making it the go-to tractor for many farms, including dairy and beef operations,” said Dennis Ogle, marketing manager for the John Deere midsize tractor line.

Standards Remain

The 6M tractor provides numerous ways to configure yet still has the standard features that can make it the workhorse of any farm or ranch.

The new tractor features traditional mechanical transmission options or easy-to-use infinitely variable transmission options. The shortest wheelbase with sloped hood remains, providing excellent visibility and maneuverability. All 6M cabs also offer a full view around the tractor, making loader work, mowing and baling easier to complete.

In addition, the 6M still has the high front or rear hitch lift capacity that is important for various jobs.

“We know farmers and ranchers love simple and reliable tractors to get the important jobs done,” Ogle said. “The 6M delivers with a proven history along with more valuable options to cater to each owner’s needs.”

Options Abound

The Model Year 2025 6M tractor can be customized to provide farmers the opportunity to have large tractor features on a midsized machine.

With five frame sizes and 18 models, farmers can work with their John Deere dealer to build the tractor that’s right for their farm.

Configurations and options include:

Horsepower and chassis: 18 models with five chassis options and horsepower ranging from 95 to 250 hp.
Intelligent Power Management: Up to 20hp above a model’s rated horsepower in transport and nonstationary PTO applications. This allows the operator to conquer hills when transporting, thick windrows when baling, and more.
Dual-tire configurations: Rear bar axles and dual-tire configurations are now available for ease of wheel spacing or when needing more flotation and traction.
Infinitely variable transmission: Transmission option available across all models that allows for stepless driving.
Higher speed with 50K transmission: Available across the full portfolio of 6M tractors, this feature helps transport speeds, leading to increased efficiency.
Cab package options: New options available to increase operator comfort to improve productivity.
Scalable precision ag technology: More precision ag available on demand with updated cornerpost display and integrated connectivity.

“Whether you are putting up hay, moving bales, feeding, mowing roadsides, removing snow or any number of other tasks, the 6M is the workhorse that can help complete the job,” Ogle said.

To learn more about the John Deere 6M tractor, visit JohnDeere.com or contact your local John Deere dealer.

Machinery News And Notes: AGCO Offering Same Day Parts Delivery, CLAAS Hits 500K Combines Built

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 14:52:10 GMT

AGCO Dealership Launches Same-Day Parts Delivery Service

AGCO announced the launch of AgRevolution’s same-day delivery service for machinery parts.

Customers in the western Kentucky, southern Indiana and southern Illinois service area can place orders online or by calling their nearest AgRevolution location. In-stock parts will be delivered directly to the farm within two to six hours, depending on part size. Same-day delivery is possible because of AgRevolution’s fleet of 30 mobile service trucks that provide on-farm maintenance and repairs, according to the company.

“Implementing same-day parts delivery enables us to minimize downtime for farmers who handle their own repairs as well as customers who call our expert technicians for support,” said Stacy Anthony, CEO, AgRevolution.

A growing number of AGCO dealerships in North and South America are deploying aspects of the FarmerCore program, including expanded mobile service fleets, alternative format outlets (e.g., parts-only stores) and digital tools to enhance customer support.

CLAAS celebrates Combine Milestone

CLAAS is celebrating 500,000-plus combine harvesters built since 1936, and the German manufacturer is producing several anniversary machines from the LEXION, TRION, EVION and DOMINATOR lines to celebrate the production milestone.

The company says that two anniversary machines (LEXION combines) will soon roll off its North America production line in Omaha, Nebraska, bound for farms in the US and Canada.

These specially badged machines will also be on display at trade shows, field days and demonstrations in the coming weeks and months.

Learn more about the history of CLAAS combines here.

Hiniker Company acquired by Minnesota Investment Group

Kinperium Industries has acquired Hiniker Company, a manufacturer of agriculture attachments.

Hiniker designs and manufactures purpose-built products and solutions. In its agriculture division, the company manufactures cultivators, shredders, cover crop seeders, and other products.

Kinperium Industries is a family office that invests in long-term, sustainable businesses and provides investment and intellectual capital to support portfolio companies.

Randy Powell, CEO of United Rotary Brush, another company in the Kinperium Industries portfolio, will join Hiniker’s existing management team. Powell will lead the company as it focuses on expanding its product line and integrating its products into other Kinperium Industries’ companies and dealer networks.

“Hiniker expands our commitment to the agricultural markets,” said Powell. “This acquisition represents a strategic investment in our future, reinforcing our commitment to providing top-tier solutions for customers across our portfolio of companies.”

Firestone Tractor Tire Plant in Des Moines Announces Job Cuts

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 15:29:26 GMT

The Des Moines Register is reporting another round of ag-related layoffs in Iowa. This time its at the Bridgestone-Firestone tire plant where tractor tire production is a primary focus.

The article cites lower than projected demand from equipment manufacturers John Deere and Case IH as one in a handful of contributing factors for the decision.

It is not clear at this time how many employees will be affected.

Bridgestone Americas confirms the layoffs, sharing an official statement, posted in its entirety below, with Farm Journal:

Bridgestone regularly evaluates all aspects of its business to ensure we remain competitive and resources are allocated in a manner that best supports our business strategy. We notified local United Steelworkers (USW) leadership in Des Moines that we have made the difficult decision to reduce positions due to demand constraints in the agriculture tire sector. We aim to minimize the impact on our teammates as much as possible and will continue to communicate directly with our teammates. Bridgestone is confident this move will enable us to operate more cost effectively in strengthening our business model and to deliver on our long-term growth potential.

It has been a rough first half of 2024 for farm equipment factory workers and salaried employees around the Midwest. Equipment sales are faltering as farmers tighten their belts in response to low commodity prices and high operating expenses.

John Deere is in the midst of layoffs and a restructuring of its businss units across its Iowa operations. And Case-IH is rumored to be cutting 25% of its Racine, Wisconsin, workforce , although the brand’s parent company, CNH Industrial, has yet to confirm the rumors. AGCO also announced intentions back in January to shave 10% off its production workforce.

John Deere Dream Job: Brock Purdy Leads Chief Tractor Officer Search

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 20:33:09 GMT

If you’re heading across the country on I-80 anytime soon, keep an eye out for Americas’ favorite underdog QB in a John Deere 3 Series tractor.

After saving a Bay Area reporter and her pooch from a prowling coyote , the former Iowa State Cyclone signal caller and NFL Draft Mr. Irrelevant is helping John Deere launch a nationwide search for a new ag equipment influencer: the company’s first-ever Chief Tractor Officer (CTO). Purdy assured The Pat McAfee Show that the job is, indeed, a real job. With a real salary.

Purdy is no stranger to boots-on-the-ground agriculture: he famously returned to his in-laws’ farm in Iowa during the bye week of his rookie year to help get that seasons’ corn crop out of the ground. A couple months later, he was leading the San Francisco 49ers to the NFC Championship game, where an unfortunate first quarter injury knocked him from the game and the 49ers from the postseason. Purdy followed up that remarkable rookie campaign with an NFC Championship and Super Bowl appearance, eventually bowing out to the Taylor Swift-backed Kansas City Chiefs.

To apply, candidates must submit a short-form video with their pitch for the position, showing the creativity, humor, and passion they’d bring to the job. Candidates are also encouraged to publish their entries to TikTok and/or Instagram by tagging @JohnDeere.

“The role of the Chief Tractor Officer isn’t just about creating content, it’s about creating compelling stories about the people and industries supporting all of us,” says Jen Hartmann, global director of strategic public relations and enterprise social media.

Head on over to www.JohnDeereCTO.com to shoot your shot at scoring the best job ever...now through April 29, 2024.

Check out the video below, and good luck to all who apply for this unique and fun opportunity!

Machinery News: U.S. Tractor Sales Spike, Heraud Departs Deere, Ag on the Mall Info

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 15:58:30 GMT

For the second straight month, sales of 100+ horsepower ag tractors increased in the U.S., according to new data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). March sales jumped 3.2% compared to last year, following February’s increase of 2.8% compared to 2023.

Sales of 100+ horsepower tractor sales also grew in Canada, rising 2.7% in March compared to 2023.

However, total year-to-date sales of ag tractors and combines are below 2023’s pace. Tractors are down 13.3% while combines fell 20.4%.

“Seeing the continued growth in 100+ horsepower tractor sales is a welcome sight as 2024 progresses, despite the softness in other tractor sizes” said AEM Senior Vice President Curt Blades. “As we start the planting season, we remain optimistic for the future of the ag equipment market.”

Stay up to date on AEM’s monthly sales reports here.

Deere Departure

Ag Funder News was first to report former Blue River Technologies founder and CEO Jorge Heraud has left John Deere and joined the board of weed fighting startup Rootwave.

Rootwave uses high-frequency, high voltages of electricity to “burn up” small weeds before they become big problems for farmers. Heraud told Ag Funder News that he believes Rootwave’s approach is superior to laser weeding.

Heraud also shared the motivation behind this move, stating his “desire to return to the startup world.” Heraud was contractually obligated to remain at John Deere for four years (he was there for seven).

Best of luck to Jorge in the new role.

Machinery on the Mall

John Deere announced its intention to exhibit large ag equipment and precision ag technologies during AEM’s “Ag on the Mall – The Future of Food and Farming” celebration in our nations’ capital, May 6-8, 2024.

This is the second year John Deere has joined AEM at the educational and advocacy event. Deere will feature its 8R Autonomous Tractor, S7 900 Combine, See & Spray Ultimate Sprayer and GUSS Autonomous Sprayer technologies, as well as exhibits showcasing Deere’s tech stack of precision ag technologies.

More Machinery News

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Trace The Path: Spring Planter Setup Tips

Machinery Pete: Used Combine Market Update, Pick of the Week, Upcoming Wisconsin Auction

CES 24: 4 Stand-Out Smart Farming Solutions

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 22:38:08 GMT

A handful of firms brought ag tech products to the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this past week.

The ag-focused exhibitors at CES seemed focused on unlocking the potential of artificial intelligence and data aggregation in farm tech, vehicle automation and electrification, and using technology to enable more sustainable production.

Here’s a quick roundup of how ag was on display at CES:

Bobcat AT450X enabled by Agtonomy Articulating Utility Tractor. Autonomous and electrified operation are at the heart of the concept. What really makes that heart tick, though, is an intuitive mobile app that unlocks and simplifies the tasking and management of these space-age looking tractors. The giant swappable rear-mounted battery pack is another key feature, as the concept autonomously returns to the farm shop and swaps out a drained battery for a fresh one before returning to its tasks.

Infinitum Aircore Mobility Liquid Cooled Engine Tech. By swapping the iron core design common in most motors today with a rotating layer of solid “stators” (they look like circular plastic circuit boards), Infinitum has reimagined a more efficient, longer lasting, smarter and lighter engine. Aircore is commercialized and available today, and Chief Strategy Officer Bhavnesh Patel says the company is working with an undisclosed Midwest-based ag equipment manufacturer to get the smart motors into corn country. They also make great irrigation pump motors, Patel says.

John Deere Tech Stack for Cotton Growers. At CES, John Deere’s focus was threefold: a practical application of advanced technology at each stage of the cotton production cycle (most if not all would also apply to corn and soybean farming); the application of said technology to truly enable smarter, faster decision making; and a continued focus on showing the tech world that ag technology enables sustainable production. The remotely drivable tractor display drew the most interest among the tech set media crowd that covers CES. John Deere also showcased an interactive “weeds in the field” LED floor in their See & Spray display, and plugged a “get paid for my sustainability practices” Easy Button into its Operations Center mobile app.

Kubota Agri Concept Electric Vehicle Utility Tractor. Besides its sleek factor, the electrified concept tractor has a suite of smart farming tech on board. It offers fully autonomous operation – which seems to be the box to check with any new EV tractor intro – as well as the ability to connect, or swarm, multiple tractors into a unified field task crushing force. In addition to the ability to autonomously return to base and fast charge, Kubota leadership claims it has charge times down to a lighting quick 10% to 80% full in just 6 minutes, which is big for productivity and uptime. The concept shown at CES was more of a specialty crop/utility tractor, but perhaps the concept has legs for row crop someday?

Ag Leader Sprayer Update Makes Recirculation Simple

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 13:51:59 GMT

Ag Leader has launched a complete spray tank recirculation solution, BoomLoop, for sprayers that feature the companies’ RightSpot nozzle control system. The upgrade integrates with InCommand displays and creates a “streamlined path for product to flow from boom ends and back into the spray tank.”

“This eliminates dead spots and opportunities for product buildup,” says Logan Handsake, product sales specialist.

Controlled from the cab via Ag Leader’s InCommand 1200 display, efficiencies are gained both by having a single system interface to manage sprayer functions, as well as automation of the boom priming process. BoomLoop automates the procedure without the operator having to spray product on the ground, according to the company.

Automatic sequencing of the section valves also ensures the entire boom is fully primed or flushed even when the boom is folded or not sitting level. That means the contained recirculation process can occur even during transport to save time.

“The goal was to remove the complexities and potential hazards tied to priming with an automated solution that gives the operator confidence and peace of mind,” Handsaker says, noting the upgrade will also help minimize chemical waste.

Another potential operator benefit is the ability to initiate the recirculation process automatically (when not applying) when fully automated mode is activated on the InCommand display.

Contact your local Ag Leader dealer or visit agleader.com to learn more.

Rare Tractor Treasure Symbolizes the Grit And Toil of 7 Generations

Thu, 23 Nov 2023 14:14:48 GMT

2023 Harvest of Thanks is a special edition of both AgDay and U.S. Farm Report. The show helps celebrate and honor traditions, while also sharing stories of gratitude. 2023 Harvest of Thanks is sponsored by Case IH and BASF.

When you think of Virginia Beach, you probably don’t think of row upon row of vegetables, various produce, crops and cattle. For the Cullipher family, the diverse landscape is the foundation that’s now fueling the seventh generation of Cullipher Farm .

From apples to strawberries to “you-pick” pumpkins, the business is the bedrock of a farm that’s changed, evolved and grown. This year, Jeb Cullipher achieved his greatest dream: to start farming on his own.

“If there’s something that makes you curious, you should investigate it. Luckily, I’ve always been curious enough about farming,” he says.

A Love for Farming That’s Contagious

That love for farming is contagious on Cullipher Farm — it’s a love that’s been passed down from Jeb’s dad, Mike, and his granddad, Louis, who are the fifth and sixth generations to farm in the family .

“When I got into college, I worked for the Virginia Department of Transportation and farmed part time. I did that for almost 12 years,” Mike says.

In 1998, Mike and his wife decided it was time to chase his farming dream full-time, and in 2000, he got his chance to carry on a legacy that was built and labored by the generations before him.

“My family was in eastern North Carolina, originally,” says Louis, talking previous generations. “We were sharecroppers, but granddaddy was the landlord. He was very compassionate.”

Louis’ granddad wanted to give his son the opportunity to farm, but with only so much room to grow in the peanut business, Louis’ dad knew he needed to find new opportunities to survive.

“That’s why my daddy got into the vegetable business — sweet potatoes, chickens, hogs and all that. He did that to survive,” Louis says.

“They moved to Virginia right after the war. In 1947, my dad’s mother’s parents got disabled. My great grandfather got sick. My dad’s mother, being the daughter in the family, was told to move home and help take care of her father.”

In 1947, Louis’ parents moved to Virginia. While still farming peanuts back in North Carolina and growing produce in Virginia, he blazed a new path. Years later, just like his father, Louis had an epiphany of his own.

“You wouldn’t know it, but my dad is very creative,” Mike says. “He was delivering to a Whole Foods store and came home one day and told me, ‘They’re going to run us out of business with their marketing ideas, using wooden crates and their displays. The one thing we have they don’t have is we have a farm.’ He then said, ‘We need to figure out a way to get as many people to come to the farm and stay as long as they can. That’s how we can survive.’”

With that, they moved from a wholesale business to 99% retail, with the original farm market located just 4 miles up the road from where they are located now.

“It’s just amazing the appetite people have about how plants have grown, and we have a real good story to tell,” Louis says.

Symbol of the Past: Original Farmall Remained in the Family for Nearly 100 Years

While their story and farm have changed, the one constant has been a special piece of antique iron: an original Farmall that was the first tractor Louis’ granddad ever owned.

“That Farmall represents our legacy — granddad had the foresight to own this kind of tractor, the first one in his county in 1923. That tractor has never been outside the family,” Louis says.

Louis’ Wish for the Next 100 Years

It’s a rare treasure that represents nearly a century of change and growth, as Louis reflects on his one wish for the next 100 years.

“If I could come back 100 years from now, I hope we’ve grown, we’ve got to change,” he says.

Mike says he cherishes his family’s past, and his father’s foresight to fuel change 16 years ago.

“With Jeb’s new cattle business, we’re doing the same thing my grandfather and great grandfather did. We’re changing, but at the same time, we’re really not changing. We’re going forward, but we’re also going backward at the same time,” Mike says.

Grateful for Six Generations of Toil and Change

The Farmall from the 1920s will continue to be a tribute to the past, but also a nod to what’s allowed the seventh generation to grow. For that, Jeb is grateful.

“I really can’t express that enough,” Jeb says. “I’m very grateful to the both of them, but especially my father. He’s really given me a lot of opportunity at a young age to develop my own unique interest and passion.”

“And I got that from my dad,” Mike says. “His thing was, ‘If you think it’s a good idea and we can afford to do it, then do it.’”

Reigniting a Passion to Farm in the Older Generations

As Jeb wraps up his first year of carving out his own operation with cattle, it’s also reigniting the passion in Mike.

“One of my dad’s oldest friends always said that when you lose a spark, you need to quit and go home. If you lose your spark, you’re in trouble,” Mike says. “Jeb kind of got my spark going again.”

As for Louis, he couldn’t be more proud that their Virginia Beach farm is where Jeb wants to be, the seventh generation to carry on the family’s farming legacy.

“Jeb would be successful in anything he chose, but we’re certainly glad he selected farming,” Louis says.

Machinery Pete: Mid-to-High Horsepower Tractor Prices Continue to Soar

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 17:55:34 GMT

The mid-to-high horsepower used tractor market is still on fire. Despite increased inventory on dealer lots, auction prices have remained high on good condition loader tractors in the 150-hp range through the big four-wheel-drive and large track units.

In August in Arcanum, Ohio, a Case IH Magnum 315 with 1,024 hours sold for $245,000 — $5,000 over the record set a year earlier by a model with half the hours. At the same auction, a Case IH 8910 2WD with 3,807 hours sold for $75,000, breaking 2022’s record for that model by $10,000.

This scenario has become common. Three weeks prior, at an Ellsworth, Iowa sale, a 2012 Case IH Magnum 225 with 903 hours sold for $162,500, smashing a 10-year record by $22,500.

A June 27 online farm auction in Lostant, Ill., produced two record breakers.

A 1997 Case IH 8920 front-wheel assist with 2,827 hours sold for $125,250 — $25,250 higher than the previous record. Then, a 1995 Case IH 7250 front-wheel assist with 3,653 hours sold for $127,750 and obliterated the 12-year former record auction price by $42,250.

This trend isn’t just for red tractors. In June, a 2017 John Deere 6195R with 597 hours and a small crack in the hood sold for $172,000 at a Raymond, Iowa, auction, beating the previous record by $33,600. Then, in September, a 2003 John Deere 8420 with 3,741 hours sold for $199,000 in Fort Madison, Iowa, setting the new record by $17,000.

Auction Action: 5- to 10-Year-Old Tractors

Make	Model	Year	Hours	Price	Location
John Deere	8400R	2018	947	$356,380	Tupelo, Miss.
John Deere	8345R	2017	1,147	$315,000	Raymond, Iowa
Fendt	1042 Vario	2018	2,932	$310,000	Goodhue, Minn.
Case IH	Magnum 340	2018	376	$302,000	Paris, Mo.
John Deere	8320R	2015	1,645	$280,000	Farmer City, Ill.

I’ve seen nearly 400 John Deere 8420s sell at auction over the past 20 years. Setting a record-high price by as much as $17,000 used to never happen, but lately it’s been occurring almost daily.

As used inventory levels for mid-to-high horsepower tractors continue rising, these scorching hot prices should begin to cool off. In the short term, however, the year-end tax-motivated buyers are likely to come out in November and December, meaning used tractor values likely will remain strong.

Buried For 30 Years, Nebraska Teen Uncovers a Farmall Family Heirloom, Takes On Tractor Restoration Of a Lifetime

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 14:20:57 GMT

If you ask Charlie Bortner what his favorite tractor brand is, he’ll admit, without hesitation, that he “bleeds red.” The McCook, Neb., native is currently a freshman at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, but his love for Farmall tractors is something that started generations ago.

At the age of 15, Bortner and his father found a 1954 Farmall Super M Torque Amplifier, also known as a Super MTA, buried in a shed. But it wasn’t just any Super MTA, it was his great-great-grandfather’s.

“This tractor was bought brand new by my great-great grandpa in 1954, and I have the original sales receipt for that,” says Bortner. “My dad and I found this thing tucked in the corner of the barn, and we estimated that it hadn’t been started in 30 years by the time I got it.”

With a tractor that had been sitting untouched for at least 30 years, Bortner knew he had his work cut out for him. But he figured it was a restoration project that would take shape years down the road.

“In 2020, my dad and me inherited two of these MTAs,” says Bortner. “One of them was bought by my great-great grandpa, and the other one was bought by my great-grandpa, and we had the intention of someday getting them operational.”

Then, the Covid-19 pandemic unexpectedly hit. So, at the age of 16, Bortner seized the opportunity to restore the hidden family heirloom.

“This was my lockdown project. And throughout just learning the mechanics behind this, and getting them operational, it just got me hooked, and now I have antique tractor fever. It’s just so much fun,” he says.

Bortner admits he really didn’t know what he was doing at first. So, he took his time researching everything he needed to know.

“First thing I did I ordered an original service manual and an original parts manual -- just copies of them just to help. And I just started going piece by piece to replace the battery make sure that the starter was good. And by the time I was done with this one, I had replaced the starter, the whole entire wiring harness, and rebuilt the carburetor,” he says.

Bortner spent two months on the tractor, continuing to chip away at the restoration to get the tractor running again. It was a task that brought success, and it gave Bortner something to do during the pandemic, which then became a Covid restoration project he’ll never forget.

First Monarch Electric Autonomous Tractor Lands in the Midwest

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 14:20:14 GMT

California is already seeing electric autonomous tractors at work, but until this month, the Monarch tractor hadn’t ventured east. That all changed earlier this month when the University of Missouri became the first college to land a Monarch tractor, which marks the first of its kind in the Midwest.

“This is the first one at a university, and it’s also one of the first ones, if not the first one, outside of the state of California,” says Dan Downing, who works on Ag Engineering extension programs at the University of Missouri.

The first thing you notice about the tractor is how small it is, but once you start watching the tractor work, you realize how quiet it is. However, Downing says don’t underestimate its size or power.

“It’s about a 40-hp tractor, weighs about 5,000 lb., but one of the sleepers is that it performs a little bit better than you would think of a 40-hp internal combustion engine because the torque from the electric motors,” Downing says. “It is instantaneous torque.”

The other impressive piece, to Downing, is how the Monarch tractor is loaded with software and technology at the top of the tractor.

“One of the major things is the data acquisition and data management side of it. The top piece, the canopy of this tractor, is loaded with computer technology. And it has sensors in it to detect everything from wind speed to temperature to ground speed, I believe tire slippage, battery optimization, all those kinds of things are potential that can be done with this,” he says.

Driving Research, Teaching and Extension into the Future

The goal is to use the equipment for research, teaching and extension. And as professors and Mizzou extension gathered outside to watch the equipment at work, it was clear there’s excitement surrounding the Monarch tractor as it will also be used as a teaching tool to drive Mizzou’s program into the future.

“From a teaching perspective, to use the tractor in classes as showing modern, up-to-date, cutting edge, sensory technology and integration with precision ag implements,” Downing says. “There’s even some movement also towards some of the major equipment distributors in the Midwest. They are looking at similar technologies or about potentially working with this company on some of it.”

The electric monarch tractor is on the smaller side, so Downing knows it may not be a fit for larger row crop farms. But considering the machine can also run autonomously, he says it’s a potential game changer for specialty crop and smaller livestock operations. Through his extension work, his goal is to see how the new technology can work on different operations.

“One of the programs I work with is the sustainable ag research and education program, which kind of caters to small farmers, beginning farmers and vegetable and fruit production. And these tractors coming out of California, that’s where they’re mainly being implemented right now,” he adds. “So, there’s a direct application there. And for the folks that are in organic production, with this tractor, there isn’t pumping out any hydrocarbon emissions as they go through their organic operation. So that’s a big plus on that.”

He says also from an extension standpoint, he thinks it will be a great way to create awareness of the sensory technology and how it’s evolving.

“We think of the drones and drone use coming into play, and the data collection when you do field mapping and yield mapping,” says Downing. “All that can be advanced with this tractor. Another piece, just creating the awareness of the evolution of electronic tractors for our crop producers and our farmers out there. The manufacturers are working on some smaller implements, such as a blade to go on the front of it, and some other devices where it has potential application for use in livestock operations, and even indoor operations with no emissions. You can operate it inside of a closed building without having to worry about that.”

Manual or Autonomous Applications

Downing says with the cutting-edge technology equipped on the Monarch tractor, the fourth generation all electric, with autonomous capabilities, but it could also be a great option for someone who’s disabled.

“A disabled person could be potentially able to operate this tractor remotely, or with the joystick operation if they have some mobility,” Downing says. “It can even be driven off a joystick or driven conventionally using hand and foot controls.”

As Mizzou begins to uncover the various applications of the new Monarch tractor, it’s a possible glimpse into the future for farms where it’s the right fit.

Case IH Breaks Through Its Own Horsepower Threshold: The Steiger 715 Quadtrac

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 21:09:45 GMT

Marketed as the highest horsepower Steiger tractor ever, the Steiger 715 Quadtrac headlines the updates of the model year 2024 Steiger tractors from Case IH.

The Steiger 715 Quadtrac is powered by a FPT Industrial brand-new C16 TST engine to provide 715 rated engine hp with peak horsepower at 778 hp.

Case IH leaders say the tractor was built with farmer feedback from the drawing board, and farmers told the manufacturer they needed to cover more ground in less time.

“Customers have been asking for more horsepower to improve productivity in the field,” says Tom Curley, global product manager for Case IH Steiger tractors. “This entire five-year process has involved farmers, and it’s resulted in the largest Steiger ever built.”

The Steiger 715 Quadtrac unveils a new heavy-duty undercarriage which helps deliver power to the ground and supports a road speed 2 mph faster than before.

In all there are seven updated Model Year 2024 Steiger tractors in the series — the 425, 475, 525, 555, 595, 645 and 715.

Steiger Series features include:

Longer track design
Ability to have dual Pro 1200 displays
New hood design
Redesigned exhaust and LED lighting
Increased fuel capacity of up to 520 gal
27% more LED lighting
Redesigned exhaust
Updated cab with new headliner, premium sound

“These tractors will help farmers save fuel and do more acre,” says Mitch Kaiser, marketing manager for Steiger tractors. “We have customers in California who measure acres covered by the minute, so we have to make them more productive. For example, you can pull a 13-shank ripper another 2 mph faster or pull at the same speed but deeper.”

Kaiser highlights the productivity gains offered by the technology as well.

“AccuTurn Pro is one push of a button away from autonomy,” he says. “It gives the operator hands-free steering and automatic, repeatable end-row turns.”

CLAAS Expands Lineup with Two New Tractors

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 21:40:00 GMT

CLAAS introduced its latest tractor lines: the XERION 12.650 and 12.590, the ARION 660, 650 and 630, as well as row-crop friendly options on the AXION 960 TT and 930 TT on Tuesday.

These machines have been developed with input from North American farmers for productivity, efficiency and comfort, according to CLAAS’s press release.

“With innovative features and a bold design, these tractors will become the go-to choice for farmers looking to take their productivity to the next level,” says Frans Reijmers, CLAAS North America Product Manager – Tractors. “We have taken into account the valuable input our customers have given us, and we are excited to see how these tractors will deliver on their needs.”

The newest models in the manufacturer’s tractor lineup are the XERION 12 Series and the ARION 600 Series, both of which CLAAS says it designed to offer more capacity and comfort in the product ranges.

Here’s what’s included in the new CLAAS lineup:

XERION 12 Series

The all-new XERION 12 Series gets its inspiration from the original 5000/4000 models, but everything about it is on a bigger scale.

The new tractors are available with a 653- or 585-hp engine and a hydraulic flow rate of 140 gallons per minute. It also comes standard with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a new, heavy-duty axle system that replaced the earlier series in order to handle higher horsepower and heavier loads.

The new XERION 12 Series can be ordered with 36- or 30-inch TERRA TRAC units on all four corners to help reduce ground pressure, prevent compaction, lessen vibration and increase traction. If wheels are what you prefer, 800/70 R42 duals are available with a footprint of up to 42 inches.

The capacity inside the cab also increased in the new XERION 12 Series, with 20% more legroom than its previous models.

ARION 600 Series

The ARION 660, 650 and 630 multipurpose tractors are for producers looking to handle a long list of tasks, according to CLAAS. Available in a horsepower range of 165- to 205-hp and equipped with a continuously variable CMATIC transmission, CLAAS says the ARION 600 Series was designed to maintain a high fuel economy.

With a maximum transport speed of 31 mph, the ARION 600 Series has a lift capacity of 17,600 pounds and, when used in conjunction with the CLAAS FL150 hydraulic self-leveling loader, the ARION can lift 7,546 pounds of material up to 15 feet high.

This series also offers a four-point suspension, along with a front PTO and three-point hitch.

AXION 900 TT Series

CLAAS has introduced a new option for the AXION 900 TT lineup, first released last year. The AXION 900 TT – TERRA TRAC option – is now available on 18-inch belts on 88- and 120-inch centers, in addition to the previous track widths of 25, 29 and 35 inches. The AXION 960TT and 930TT models, which are equipped with a four-mode, continuously variable CMATIC transmission, offer 445 and 355 hp, respectively.

“We are excited to bring these latest technologies to the market, with a focus on strength and efficiency,” says Eric Raby, Senior Vice President ¬– Americas, for CLAAS. “The introduction of the new XERION and ARION tractor lines and row-crop technology for our AXION line adds game-changing productivity for farmers throughout North America.

For more information on the newest additions to the CLAAS family of tractors, visit the company website .

Wisconsin Man Surprises Wife with a Farmall Super M

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 14:51:39 GMT

As an avid tractor puller growing up, Stacey Allendorf always had a special bond with Farmall tractors, but it wasn’t until her husband surprised her one day, that she was able to add a piece of red equipment to her shed as an adult.

“Before we met when I was out of high school, I used to pull antique tractors, and he knew that, but he wasn’t a part of it at that point,” she says. “He saw this one in town in Shullsburg, and he asked me if it was worth buying. I said, ‘Well, if it’s got brakes, it’s worth buying.’”

The two went to look it over, but they didn’t buy it that day. She thought that was the end of their story with that particular Farmall Super M. Little did she know her husband had quite the surprise up his sleeve.

“I came home from work one day and he said he had a surprise for me,” she says. “We went out to the shed and there it was, the Super M sitting there, and he goes, ‘You always said you wanted a convertible,’ and I said, ‘Yes, I did.’ So, this is my tractor, the only red one on the farm.”

What makes the tractor even more special is the fact the Allendorfs think they are only the second owner of the antique tractor.

“The story I got is it was sold new at the local dealership, and they took it back in on trade,” she says. “And as far as I understand we are the second owner of it.”

The Farmall M and Super M tractors are both what she used in tractor pulls, so having a Farmall M back in her possession made it even more special. And today, it’s not one they only use for parades. The Allendorfs still put it to work and use the Super M around the farm on occasion.

Colorado Governor Signs First US Agriculture "Right to Repair" Bill Into Law

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 13:54:37 GMT

Colorado’s governor signed the nation’s first right to repair legislation into law on Tuesday, giving the state’s farmers and ranchers the autonomy to fix their own equipment.

The bill, which requires manufacturers such as Deere & Co to provide manuals for diagnostic software and other aids, garnered bipartisan support as farmers grew increasingly frustrated with costly repairs and inflated input prices denting their profits.

With a Case IH red tractor displayed outside the state Capitol in Denver, Governor Jared Polis, a Democrat, signed The Consumer Right to Repair Agriculture Equipment Act.

“I am proud to sign this important bipartisan legislation that saves hardworking farmers and ranchers time and money on repairs, and supports Colorado’s thriving agriculture industry,” he said in an emailed statement. “This is a common-sense bipartisan bill to help people avoid unnecessary delays from equipment repairs.”

The legislation passed on a 46-14 vote in Colorado’s Senate earlier this month.

Once the law goes into effect on Jan. 1, farm machinery manufacturers such as Deere and CNH Industrial, which owns the Case IH brand, will have to provide farmers with diagnostic tools, software and documents. Independent technicians will also be able to access similar resources.

Deere has said it believes the legislation is unnecessary and will carry unintended consequences. CNH did not respond to request for comment.

Right to repair legislation is gaining momentum across the country as lawmakers in 16 states have introduced bills, according to a report by the Public Interest Research Group, an advocacy organization.

Colorado farmer Daniel Waldvogle, who was present for the bill’s signing, hopes right to repair will be a key issue for the next U.S. farm bill under discussion in Washington.

“Creating more fair market access through right to repair is one of the items that we hope will be included,” he said.

(Reporting by Bianca Flowers in Chicago; Editing by Bill Berkrot)

Teenage Tractor Collector Takes on Special Farmall Restoration in Honor of Family Friend's Father

Tue, 18 Apr 2023 21:27:58 GMT

It might seem rare for to find a teenager today who has a strong passion for restoring antique tractors. But for one Nebraska teen, finding and restoring tractors has become a growing hobby. When he was presented with the opportunity to acquire a special Farmall, he jumped on the chance as he knew it would help keep one man’s memory alive.

At 18-years-old, Charlie Bortner already has a knack. Not only did he and Wyatt Myers team up to restore a 1938 Farmall F-20 for a FFA project , but he’s also taken on other restoration projects outside the classroom.

“I love the challenge of trying to get these old tractors to run,” he says. “I love the tractor collector community. I’ve met so many people, I’ve expanded my network, it’s just been extremely beneficial.”

One classic example of the network he’s build, and the friends he’s made, is his 1948 International Super M.

“I bought it from a family friend. They said that their dad bought it, but he sadly passed away and they just wanted to keep it around the community and find somebody that could care of it,” says Bortner. “So, they sold it to me just as a little token. And just for me to kind of play around with and tinker with.”

The first step was to get the classic piece of iron in better operating condition.

“It was in running condition, but there’s just something off about it,” says Bortner. “I adjusted the carburetor a little bit and it fired right up.”

He says the single front tire is something that’s taken an adjustment when driving the tractor, but as he spends more time on the tractor, he’s reminded on just how special of a tractor it truly is.

“It means a lot to me,” he says. “It just shows that they trust me to take care of it and keep it operational and in good shape.”

Bortner has a couple Farmalls that have become his favorites. The 1938 Farmall F-20 he helped restore with a classmate was one he knew would take a lot of work. But the 6-month FFA project turned into a two-year undertaking, and the finished project is polished perfection that is breathing new life.

“Me and Wyatt stumbled upon the FFA tractor restoration competition, and we decided that it’d be kind of fun to enter. And so the restoration started,” says Bortner.

The iron required a complete restoration, and the boys decided it was a challenge they’d try to tackle, as they took on the restoration project one step at a time.

“Anything that could come off, effectively came off,” says Bortner. “We had the transmission completely disassembled to the point that the rear axle housing was removed from the tractor, sealed and put back on. We had the whole entire tractor sandblasted, painted individual pieces. Just if a piece could come off, it came off.”

Farmall tractors are Bortner’s favorite, and he says that’s because of the strong and iconic history.

“I’ve always seen IH as kind of the forefront of the tractor community because if you look back the Farmall Regular, it’s considered to be the first successful row crop tractor. And every company, including John Deere, has managed to copy that with let’s say John Deere Unstyled A looks a lot like a Farmall Regular to me.”

From his passion for restoring tractors to his love of the brand, Farmall is a clear favorite for Bortner, and will be for years to come.

Savoring a Piece of Her Family Farm's History, Illinois Teen Breaks the Mold with Her 1954 Farmall

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 20:02:13 GMT

Bridget Payne isn’t your typical teenager. As the fifth generation on her Illinois family farm, her love for antique tractors is something she’s proud to share, even among her friend group.

“All my friends think my tractor is really cool,” Payne says. “Actually, my best friend loves the same model of tractors as I do, and the same brand. And all of our friends have different types of tractors that they like. We feud over them all the time. Some like the green, some like red.”

Payne’s favorite kind of tractor is red, a 1954 Farmall Super M-TA that looks brand new. While she likes red tractors, it’s the tie back to her family farm that makes it even more special.

“A really cool story behind this tractor is my great grandfather owned a tractor like this, not the same one,” says Payne. “He actually gave it to his grandson, which is my Uncle Carl, and he sold it quite a while ago and traded it in for a different tractor at the time.”

Knowing her great grandfather also bled red, having her own Farmall was a dream that turned into a reality.

“When it came time to picking a tractor, I’m one of the oldest grandchildren, so I got to choose first, and I just thought this had a lot of neat history,” she says. “Even though it’s not his, it still has that piece of him with it.”

She says the Farmall Super M-TA, which is still in prime condition, is mainly used for parades and tractor shows today. And while the nostalgia of the tractor is extremely special to her it, the ease of driving is a bonus in her book.

“Besides the color, I really like how easy it is to drive this tractor. It’s got power steering. It’s not like the old days where you had to really turn it to get it going but power steering really makes a difference,” she explains.

You can view more Tractor Tales stories on the Farm Journal YouTube page.

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This series also offers a four-point suspension, along with a front PTO and three-point hitch. AXION 900 TT Series

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This series also offers a four-point suspension, along with a front PTO and three-point hitch.

AXION 900 TT Series