The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), in collaboration with the attorneys general of Illinois and Minnesota, filed a federal lawsuit against Deere & Co., alleging that the company unfairly restricts farmers’ ability to repair their own equipment or seek assistance from independent repair shops. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Rockford, Illinois, accuses the Moline, Illinois-based manufacturer of monopolizing access to repair software, which is available exclusively to its authorized dealers. This restriction, the FTC claims, forces farmers to rely on more expensive and less convenient repair options.

 

 

According to the FTC, Deere’s practices have contributed to the company’s multibillion-dollar profits while placing financial and logistical burdens on farmers who require timely and affordable repairs. FTC Chairperson Lina M. Khan stated that farmers should have the freedom to repair their own equipment or choose independent repair shops, emphasizing the importance of lowering costs, avoiding delays, and fostering fair competition. The lawsuit highlights a shift in the agricultural equipment repair landscape over recent decades. While farmers historically had the ability to repair their tractors and combines or use nearby independent shops, the increasing computerization of equipment has made repairs more complex. The FTC asserts that Deere, as the dominant player in the industry, has compounded the issue by restricting access to its high-tech repair tools and by refusing to share information with independent software developers, a practice common in the automotive and trucking industries.

Attorneys General Kwame Raoul of Illinois and Keith Ellison of Minnesota joined the lawsuit, echoing concerns about the impact of Deere’s practices on farmers. Ellison noted that the company’s restrictions make repairs more expensive, slower, and less accessible for those in rural areas. In response, Deere & Co. rejected the allegations, calling the lawsuit a “flagrant misrepresentation of the facts and fatally flawed legal theories.” The company stated it has a long-standing commitment to customer self-repair and recently expanded its digital solutions to help customers conduct their own repairs. Deere Vice President Denver Caldwell criticized the FTC for filing the lawsuit while settlement discussions were ongoing, claiming the agency relied on inaccurate information and assumptions about the industry.

 

 

Public demand for self-repair rights has been growing, with Colorado enacting a “right to repair” law in 2023 requiring manufacturers to provide tools, parts, and manuals to farmers. However, a similar Minnesota law excludes agricultural equipment, an exemption the Minnesota Farmers Union is advocating to eliminate. The lawsuit, approved by the FTC on a 3-2 vote, comes during a period of heightened enforcement activity by the agency. This action is part of a broader effort to address what the FTC sees as unfair market practices.

 

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