Marketplace · Friday, September 4, 2026
Due to soaring diesel, fertilizer, and machinery prices, farmers are increasingly relying on older, non-computerized equipment that is easier and cheaper to repair. This trend is driven by budget constraints and the high cost of new machinery, with farm equipment sales declining.
“Diesel prices hit an all-time high today, $5.85 a gallon. That's tough for a lot of industries, but especially tough for farmers, who are also dealing with higher fertilizer costs, and farming machinery prices that are reaching historic highs.”
“More likely, we'd we'd, uh, update if we had, uh, financial resources and the, uh, justification for it. We have a budget, we have to live within.”
“Farm equipment sales have declined by more than 20 percent this year, according to data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.”