The recent trend of low commodity prices is making producers tighten their belts to maintain a bottom line that isn’t in the red.

Cost avoidance in the way of using farm equipment beyond its “normal” life span is a strong compulsion in these times, but is it really the best option? Is hanging on to that nine or 10-year-old combine or planter for another two or three years really the best thing to do?

The answer can on the one hand be simple or on the other hand have a complexity of considerations, says...