Despite the strong performance of the Irish tractor market this summer, the big manufacturers are still wearing long faces as they record depressed sales and avoid making any optimistic forecasts for the near future.

Indeed, in its latest news release on the company's performance in the third quarter (Q3) of 2025, John Deere made no mention of its expectations at all in its summary. Instead, it focussed on its continuing plans for digital technology when looking forward.

In outlining its financial position, the company noted that worldwide net sales and revenues decreased 9%, to $12.018 billion, for Q3 2025.

This represented a decrease of 18%, to $33.290 billion, for the first nine months of 2025.

Net sales were $10.357 billion for Q3 and $28.338 billion for nine months, compared with $11.387 billion and $35.484 billion last year, respectively.

Although the figures are depressing for the company overall, a closer look reveals one or two notable trends.

The most obvious is that it is North America which is taking the biggest hit, with projected revenue from this region being down 30% for the 2025 fiscal year.

Revenue from Europe, on the other hand, is likely to be much the same as 2024, although a slight decline - no greater than 5% - is possible.

The other big takeaway is that it is the big ticket items which are suffering the most. Production and Precision Agriculture may have been down 16% overall but Small Agriculture and Turf showed a decline of just 1%.

John Deere has not been idle in the face of this decline and notes that it has proactively managed inventory and matched production to retail demand.

It also notes that the operating profit declined 50% in Q3 for Production and Precision Agriculture while lamenting it had experienced 'unfavourable price realisation' in this segment.

This would suggest a degree of price cutting to shift stock, which may not appear too healthy in the short-term but looking ahead it clears the dealers yards ready for the latest machinery.