For Altamont, Ill., farmer Norbert Brauer, harvest is a familiar experience. At 80 years old, Brauer has seen a lot of seasons come to an end. Over decades, he’s watched from the cab of his faithful 1983 John Deere 7720 as agriculture evolved into the technology-driven industry it is today.

“The meter doesn’t work, but I wouldn’t doubt that it has more than 5,000 hours on it,” Brauer says, his softspoken voice tempered by experience. Exemplified by that old John Deere, Brauer’s longevity can be attributed to a simple philosophy: “Farm within your means. Don’t get caught in the rut of ‘You’ve gotta get big or gotta get out.’ You don’t have to. Forget it.”

Brauer embodies this mantra to the core. He owns every one of the acres he farms, drives a 2004 Dodge pickup with 360,000 miles on it and maintains a “full fleet” of farm equipment by himself.

Weathering downturn

Amid this ongoing economic downturn, farmers across the country could take a page from Brauer’s playbook. It’s a streamlined approach to farming that’s carried more than one farmer through agriculture’s recurrent economic storms.

Missouri hog farmer Joe Maxwell, 67, co-founder of the nonprofit Farm Action, knows that well. His group advocates for the ability to make repairs on ag machinery.

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“I know there are farmers who want the latest bells and whistles. But there’s probably nothing so new that you must have it in a downturned economy,” Maxwell says. “I’m not looking into the crystal ball and claiming to be an expert, but the future doesn’t look too bright for a while.”

With lower prices and limited margin opportunity, all signs point to a depressed market for the foreseeable future. Data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers show U.S. tractor sales decreased in September by more than 19% compared to the same time last year. Combine sales fell by about 40% compared to 2023.

“September’s sales of ag tractors and combines follow a summer that showed a cyclical slowdown in sales,” says Curt Blades, AEM senior vice president, about the data. “These declines point to the overall softness in the ag economy.”

Even so, there’s a silver lining. As farm incomes fall, so do equipment prices. Deals await on both dealer lots and auction blocks.

ADVOCATING FOR REPAIR: Joe Maxwell, 67, a Missouri hog farmer, is co-founder of the nonprofit Farm Action, an ag-repair advocacy organization. (Courtesy of Joe Maxwell)

According to the latest Sandhills Global market reports, both asking values and auction prices are falling, particularly for high-horsepower tractors. Inventory levels are generally up across the board, making this a buyer’s market.

“With income down, used equipment and older equipment is an option that farmers should take a look at,” Maxwell says. With the right mechanical know-how, he says fixing or maintaining an older model machine “can get you to the other side.”

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Repairing equipment

Aside from a lower price point, buying used offers another advantage. Unlike modern machines, most of which can only be fixed by a dealer with access to error codes, older equipment is accessible. Brauer says many repairs, such as combine components, can be done on the farm.

“If a part wears out, you can replace it with the tools most farmers have,” Brauer says. “I’ve replaced transmissions on them and hydrostats. Or if it needs a new elevator or new bearings — that’s what you’ll see a lot on combines. A lot of bearings, augers, chains and things like that, I can replace it.”

Maxwell, a trained Army diesel mechanic, also maintains much of his equipment.

“On the implements, we’re able to do most all of that ourselves — the bearings and stuff like that. We have a shop,” he says, noting that he used to maintain his tractors and other machines. “Over the last half-decade or so, on combines and tractors, the dealers control all of the codes.”

These days, farmers can’t just turn a wrench to repair modern machines because only dealers can access error codes. Maxwell’s organization, Farm Action, is a proponent of right-to-repair laws that would give farmers more control over their machines.

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Living within means

As modern machines become more technologically complex, Brauer says they’re becoming more complicated to repair. Paying somebody else to get a newer machine ready for the season could cost up to $10,000. Maintaining an older piece of equipment yourself greatly trims that bill. And finding a cash flow balance furthers a farm’s financial health.

“If you’re constantly pressuring yourself to go into debt to buy this other piece of ground, or be the big boy in the neighborhood, you’re going to struggle all your life under debt,” he says.  “Make yourself a good living. Farm within your means, and enjoy the good life farming can bring to you.”