Machinery Pete: Seed Tenders Trail a Trend

Farmers continue to need and want, and as a result, shop around for, used equipment in the very nicest condition. This applies for all types of used equipment, from large horsepower tractors to seed tenders.

Check out the data table below featuring the highest auction prices on seed tenders from November 2017 to mid-June 2018. Note the age on the three units that brought the highest prices—a pair of 2015 models and a 2014 model. As is the case with other equipment, buyers are looking for 2- to 4-year-old models, which can be tough to find. When they do show up for sale, demand is strong.

This trend has held fast even with a surge in the number of auctions, which usually lowers demand and prices. This year, many farmers needed to update their equipment after pushing it off for a few years.

Used seed tender values also continue to trend high due to what I call the Machinery Pete limbo bar. There’s a floating dollar point at which good used equipment will sell steady to strong regardless of the state of the ag economy. Currently the limbo bar is dancing around $50,000.

On MachineryPete.com, we have more than 300 used seed tenders listed for sale. The average dealer price the past 90 days is $10,060, which is higher than the average auction price of $8,782 for all units sold during the same period. The price difference isn’t much, which supports the solid buyer demand.

Of course timing can be critical with seasonal equipment such as seed tenders. Note in our auction data table the two highest sale prices occurred in April, which was prime planting equipment buying season this year given spring didn’t arrive until May in most of the Corn Belt. Looking at search traffic on our dealer equipment listings at MachineryPete.com, we saw 57.9% more clicks on used seed tenders in March versus May 2018.

If you’re thinking about buying a used seed tender, beat the rush and buy one before you “need” it. You’ll likely save a few dollars, which is always good these days.

Buy your next piece of used farm equipment from the best online resource. With more than 100,000 listings from dealers across the country, shop at www.MachineryPete.com