First Rise in US Tractor Sales in Year Lifts Farm Sector Hopes

A small bump in US tractor sales is raising hopes the farm-machinery sector may be starting to turn around after years of tough conditions.

Sales of tractors rose 4.1% in September, the first increase in 13 months, according to data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, a trade group representing companies in agriculture, forestry, construction, utility and mining.

Tractor sales improved despite low crop prices leaving growers with less to spend on new equipment. US President Donald Trump’s tariffs have helped to shut off demand for commodities such as soybeans, cotton and sorghum from the world’s top commodities importer ...