US Used Farm Equipment Market Shifts as Newer Machinery Holds Value

The used farm equipment market in the US is experiencing a significant shift as newer, technology-loaded machines are holding their value while older equipment continues to soften. According to Tractor Zoom executives Andy Campbell and Ryan Roossinck, the price gap between new and old machinery has widened, with late-model self-propelled sprayers remaining strong due to advanced technology. The market had previously been dominated by excess inventory, but dealers have become reluctant to send machinery to auction, suggesting that some of the pressure on used machinery values has eased.

Planters are showing signs of returning to a balanced market after a 3-4 year lull, and combine values have stabilized despite earlier inventory challenges. Utility tractors remained strong through 2025 due in part to the strong cattle market, while auction prices for high-horsepower row-crop tractors have held up as more farmers shifted away from purchasing new machinery.

The cattle sector adds another variable to equipment purchasing decisions, with higher cattle costs competing directly with equipment investment. If corn prices remain above $5 per bushel, producers who postponed replacements could return to the market after harvest, potentially tightening inventories of desirable used machines and supporting prices into year-end.