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With prices for corn and soybeans fluctuating along with the cost of the fuel and fertilizer needed to plant and harvest them, farmers are indicating for the first time in four years that they have less interest in making major purchases.

That is the preliminary finding of a survey of 2,409 farmers who registered online for the Iowa Power Farming Show, which wrapped up a three-day run Feb. 5 at the Iowa Events Center.

Though representatives of agricultural manufacturers at the show routinely reported that attendees were showing interest in their products, including $300,000 tractors, grain storage bins, hydraulic pumps and electronic guidance systems, 52 percent of those taking the survey said they planned a purchase of equipment costing more than $20,000; that is a 7 percent drop from a similar survey taken in 2008.

Until this year, the survey had shown a steady increase in farmers planning to spend at least $20,000 on equipment.

In terms of what they were planning to buy, 20 percent wanted a tractor and 15.4 percent were interested in computerized guidance systems and precision electronics. A new pickup truck was on the mind of 12 percent, 11.7 percent wanted a planter, 10.3 percent a combine and 10 percent a grain bin or grain dryer.

Tom Junge of the Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association. which put on the show, said, “No one expects farmers not to buy this year.”