Few activities can match starting a new farm for sheer joy.
It is also one of the quickest ways to deplete your bank account through poor equipment purchases though. The painful trifecta of startup expenses, razor thin margins, and a steep learning curve will beat you down. There is no faster way to destroy cash flow than by over-paying on equipment before your farm has earned its first dollar.
Fortunately…
There is a silver lining if you know where to look.
Used pasture management equipment is in a great position for buyers right now. Prices have come way down from recent highs. That, coupled with a healthy supply of quality implements ready to go, means new farm ventures can hit the ground grinding.
Let’s dig into how to do it the right way.
What’s On The Table:
- Why Equipment Spending Breaks New Farmers
- Why Used Pasture Management Equipment Matters
- Used Equipment Every New Farm Needs
- How to Select The Right Equipment
- Building The Operation With Care
Why Equipment Spending Breaks New Farmers
The numbers speak for themselves.
Between 2021 and 2023, new agricultural equipment prices jumped more than 20%. Factor in rising interest rates further squeezing farm financing options and the reality isn’t pretty. The average cost of a 200 horsepower tractor has increased 287% since 1990. That’s more than double the inflation rate of 139% over the same time period. Spending tens of thousands on new equipment across the board just doesn’t make sense financially for a startup.
Another angle?
About 45% of beginning farmers lease their land instead of owning it outright. Once lease payments combine with seed, livestock, fuel, chemicals and labour — equipment budgets get squeezed quickly.
When you’re running on fumes financially from day one — every dollar spent on equipment better earn you money right back.
Which is exactly why starting off with used pasture management equipment is a must.
Why Used Pasture Management Equipment Matters
Small margins. Slow cash. And the ability to compete against resource-rich industrial agriculture.
This is the battlefield new farm operations will find themselves on. But it is also where they can beat giant agribusiness at their own game — quietly and without much fanfare.
Used high-horsepower tractor and implement prices declined 18% and 23% from their peak in 2023/24. This has created a fantastic window of opportunity for buyers that are positioned to pounce. Well-equipped used dealers have quality equipment from trusted brands that are priced lower than we’ve seen in recent years. And while that won’t last forever — buying the right pieces now can save your startup operation years of financial struggle down the road.
Case in point? Bush Hog rotary cutters.
Managing pasture health through brush clearing, weed control, and preventing encroaching woody growth is not optional for productive farmland. It absolutely is necessary. That’s why grabbing some Bush Hog implements for sale from a reputable used equipment dealer should be at the top of your list. Bush Hog has earned their reputation for build quality time and time again. Buying their equipment used lets you take advantage of that reliability without paying premium prices.
Makes sense, right?
Between inflated new equipment pricing across the board and low resale value after you’re done with something — buying brand new simply doesn’t make sense.
Used equipment lets you skip that upslope entirely.
Used Equipment Every New Farm Needs
Not every piece of equipment is created equal. You’ll want to build a core used equipment group before expanding to the nice-to-haves.
A Solid Tractor
Before you do anything else, you need a tractor. A capable used mid-range tractor in the 60hp to 150hp range covers the needs of most small and startup farms without breaking the bank on something new.
Look for a tractor with documented service history, reliable parts availability for that brand, and fair hours given the age of the unit. You can’t go wrong as long as you cover those three points.
Rotary Cutters and Brush Hogs
Pasture management is a given no matter what your farm focuses on. Hay? Livestock? Row cropping? Grass and brush control will be a job year-round. A quality used rotary cutter from a brand you can trust will have plenty of productive life left at a fraction of the cost of new.
Disc Harrows and Tillage Equipment
Breaking new ground or managing the health of existing topsoil is a must. A used disc harrow or offset disc covers your basic tillage needs without overdressing the job. Prices on used tillage equipment have held incredible value lately — this is one category where buying used trumps buying new every time.
Hay Equipment
Hay is another given if you’re running livestock. Buying a used mower-conditioner along with a round baler gives you everything needed to produce your own hay at a price that won’t bust your budget. Keep in mind, hay equipment isn’t used year-round. You can often find used units with considerably less wear than their age would suggest.
Sprayers and Spreaders
Last but not least, solid used pasture management equipment includes sprayers and spreaders. Pasture sprayers and fertilizer spreaders let you keep your grass productive and apply fertilizer wherever you need it. A pull-behind boom sprayer along with a broadcast spreader should do the trick for most farms. Both implement categories hold up exceptionally well with regular maintenance and are widely available on the used market.
How to Select The Right Gear
Buyers have the market tilted in their favour right now. That doesn’t mean buying used is without diligence.
Take your time. Inspect everything before you buy. Review service records, engine hours, and walk away from anything showing excessive wear on moving parts or hydraulics. If you have questions, ask. Any reputable dealer will be honest with you about the condition of their equipment.
Buy from reputable dealers. Seriously. Save a few bucks here and there by buying from a private party or unknown used dealer and you’re rolling the dice. Equipment problems come up. If you’re not buying from someone who stands behind their inventory, you’ll be the one they try to squeeze.
Size Your Purchases Appropriately
A small farm doesn’t need industrial-grade equipment. Buying larger doesn’t save you money in the long run. You’ll pay more on fuel, bluntly damage acreages that don’t have the space to support larger equipment, and raise your maintenance costs needlessly.
Building The Operation With Care
New farms fail because of bad financial decisions, not lack of effort.
Bottom line:
- Every farm needs to piece together a used equipment core. Learn what those items are and prioritize buying quality used over shiny new
- Buy from dealers that have been around for a reason. You’ll get better prices on quality used equipment from a dealer that has a reputation to uphold versus some nobody selling stuff out of their garage
- Invest in pasture management equipment that pays you back every season
Buy a solid tractor, reliable rotary cutter, basic disc harrow or tillage equipment, and hay equipment. These things form the foundation. Dialing those in lets you build the rest of your used equipment shopping list as cash allows.
Buying used beats new every time.
