Farmer buying behavior on new versus used machinery is often influenced by two factors: interest rates and the supply of viable, reasonably-priced upgrade options.

The farm equipment auction world is seeing a wave of farmer interest in hay tools, loader tractors, lower-cost machines and specialty niche equipment, like sugar beet harvesters and hay bale steamers.

The 2006 2388 harvester came within striking distance of an all-time record that has stood since 2007, and Machinery Pete has two auctions you must pay attention to this week.

Low-hour, like-new tractors, combines and even skid steers are drawing solid bidding activity, and the guys preview fall auction season and offer their best advice to get your auction in front of the right buyers.

A pair of 1980s-era John Deere 4440 tractors are prime examples that well-conditioned, pre-DEF used farm equipment continues to hold strong value on the used auction market.

According to Machinery Pete, the price of used high-horsepower tractors fell between 18% and 23% from 2023/24 levels, while regional auctions report used equipment values fell by as much as 40%. So far in 2025, used equipment values found footing, a trend on the verge of reversing due to growing strains in the farm economy.

A used equipment market that was very buyer friendly of late is starting to swing back toward the dealer side of things, and used, late-model combines continue to draw strong farmer interest and dollars at auction.

This week’s “Pete’s Pick of the Week” is a gently-used 1985 John Deere 6620 with a pickup head for $21,500.

Get ready for a wave of farm retirement and estate auctions by finding out which farm machines are trending higher in value and which machines might be finding that price sweet spot for fall bargain hunting season.

Find out about this week’s Pete’s Pick of the Week: a 2008 John Deere mid-horsepower tractor that sold for the fourth-highest price all-time at auction, as older equipment continues to be in high demand.