(NAFB.com) – U.S. sales of four-wheel-drive tractors rose 9.4 percent in May compared to 2023. Data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers says this increase follows April 2024’s uptick of 24 percent compared to the year before. The data also indicates U.S. year-to-date sales of four-wheel-drive tractors are up 3.2 percent. Total U.S. agriculture tractor sales dropped 11.5 percent compared to May 2023, while combine sales fell 17 percent compared to last year. “After the resilience of the last five years, we’re starting to see softness in pockets of the market,” says AEM vice president Curt Blades. “Although the total year over year numbers show declines, subcategories of the market remain strong, particularly larger equipment.” Canadian sales of four-wheel-drive tractors also increased in May, with an uptick of 5.7 percent, but fell 7.5 percent compared to May 2023. Total combine sales jumped 58 percent and tractor sales dropped 10.7 percent compared to 2023.