Ag equipment sales closed out the first quarter with a strong performance in March. In the U.S. the tractor unit sales growth streak continued to 11 straight months and Canada also extended its sales streak, according to the latest data from the Assn. of Equipment Manufacturers. 

Equipment sales growth remained strong in a seasonally slow month, according to analysis from Mircea (Mig) Dobre, analyst with RW Baird. 

U.S. large ag retail sales were up 12.9% year-over-year in January, while Canadian sales were up 38%. Combined U.S./Canada large ag sales were up 15.4% (vs. up 11.3% in December), marking the fifth consecutive month with growth of over 9%.