Congress Must Secure Farmers’ Right to Repair John Deere Equipment

Congress should enshrine farmers’ right-to-repair soon to help address John Deere’s equipment monopoly.

A July settlement between the Federal Trade Commission and John Deere mandates equal repair resources for farmers and independent providers, but advocates emphasize Congress must codify this right to ensure permanence. Senator Elizabeth Warren introduced the Freedom for Agriculture Repair and Maintenance (FARM) Act earlier this year to address this need.

John Deere dominates 53% of the large tractor market and 60% of farm combines, with machines costing as much as $1 million. Restrictive repair practices, detailed in a 2023 Public Research Interest Group study, cost American farmers up to $4.2 billion annually in lost revenue and excessive repair expenses. The American Farm Bureau underscores that modern farm equipment cannot be fixed with simple tools anymore, heightening dependence on manufacturers. Farmers in vast rural areas like Montana’s Hi-Line and Valley County often face hundreds of miles to authorized repair shops, adding logistical and financial burdens. Walter Schweitzer, president of the Montana Farmers Union, described the settlement as an emotional breakthrough but agreed legislative action is necessary.

Without congressional codification, future administrations might reverse the FTC ruling, potentially leaving farmers vulnerable to monopolistic control.

Montana’s expansive geography and agricultural culture may magnify these repair challenges, suggesting that permanent right-to-repair protections could be particularly vital for sustaining rural farming operations across the state.

Commentary: Congress Needs to Codify Farmers’ Right-to-Repair
By Skylar Baker-Jordan, The Daily Yonder