Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, as part of a coalition of five states and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) secured a settlement (PDF) with farm equipment manufacturer Deere & Company that will ensure farmers can enjoy the right to repair their own John Deere tractors and farm equipment. The settlement resolves allegations that Deere used unlawful practices to limit the ability of farmers and independent repair providers to perform repairs on Deere farm equipment. For the next 10 years, the settlement requires Deere to provide farmers and independent repair providers with the same equipment repair resources, including applicable software capabilities, that it currently provides to authorized Deere dealers.
“Our farmers work tirelessly to ensure we have food to put on our tables, and they shouldn’t have to beg a multi-billion-dollar corporation for the ability to fix their own tractors,” said Attorney General Nessel. “When a machine breaks down, the time lost directly jeopardizes their livelihood and our economy. I am proud to secure a settlement that enables our farmers and independent providers to conduct timely, affordable repairs on their own terms, while shielding them from anti-competitive practices.”
Deere makes the only software repair tools capable of performing all electronic repairs on Deere equipment. The coalition filed a lawsuit in January 2025 asserting Deere previously made such tools available only to its authorized dealers, forcing farmers to rely on authorized dealers for many necessary repairs. By withholding these repair capabilities, the complaint alleged Deere unlawfully acquired and maintained monopoly power in markets for repair services for Deere farm equipment, leading to service delays and higher costs for farmers.
Source : michigan.gov