This year has seen a downturn in farm equipment sales, with over sales in every category except compact utility tractors trending lower than last year. Some individual brands, on the other hand, have reported a significant increase in sales.

That’s the situation at Gehl, the manufacturer of both construction and agricultural equipment from Wisconsin. Gehl‘s farm equipment sales increased 13% to $134.2 million for 2005. Compact equipment was up 28%, with implement shipments actually down 16% from a year ago. Compact equipment sales now comprise 70% of the agricultural segment for Gehl. For fiscal 2005, Gehl net income was a record $21.8 million, or $1.97 per share, up from $13.4 million and $1.47 per share in 2004.

Gehl, of course, is known for their skid steers, hay tools, forage equipment, feedmaking implements, and manure handling.