While North American sales of large farm equipment maintained its strong growth trend in seasonally important March, sales of compact tractors showed its first positive signs in nearly 2 years.

“U.S. and Canada row-crop and 4WD tractor sales increased 5% and 42%, respectively, as the spring selling season begins,” reports RW Baird analyst Robert McCarthy. “Combine sales declined slightly year-over-year. Inventory growth appears to have moderated or reversed, with positive implications for future production schedules…