Layoffs follow income and sales declines across Iowa and Illinois plants
Iconic equipment maker John Deere will lay off 238 employees across factories in Waterloo, Iowa, and Moline and East Moline, Illinois. The move follows weaker financial results and higher costs that have reshaped the company’s 2025 outlook.
John Deere reported a 26% drop in net income alongside a 9% decline in sales so far this year. Management linked the downturn to softer commodity prices that have tempered producer purchases and to a sharp rise in tariff expenses. “Tariff costs in the quarter were approximately $200 million, which brings us to roughly $300 million in tariff expense year to date,” said Josh Beal, Director of Investor Relations at John Deere.
The company now expects tariff costs to reach $600 million in 2025, up from a prior forecast of $500 million. Those costs are part of a broader trade backdrop. Since April, the U.S. has imposed wide-ranging tariffs of 10%–50% on most imports, with higher rates for dozens of countries and industries. The average tariff rate is now estimated at 18.6%, the highest since 1933.
For farm customers, these dynamics can ripple through equipment pricing, availability, and trade-in values. Lower commodity prices reduce cash flow for producers, while higher steel, component, and import costs raise manufacturing expenses. Together, the pressures contribute to slower order books and workforce adjustments.
Deere’s leadership indicated it will continue to align production with demand, manage inventories carefully, and focus on technology and aftermarket support to sustain customers during tighter cycles. As farm incomes fluctuate and trade policies evolve, dealers and producers will watch closely for any stabilization in commodity prices and clarity on tariff exposure. For now, the combination of softer ag markets and elevated trade costs is shaping a more cautious operating environment for the machinery sector.
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