Schweitzer: Strong case to be made against Deere on Right to Repair

Montana Farmers Union and National Farmers Union proudly support the lawsuit filed by the Federal Trade Commission and the attorneys general of Minnesota and Illinois against John Deere & Co., alleging the company’s repair restrictions violate competition laws. NFU filed a formal complaint with the FTC and has long been at the forefront of the fight for farmers’ right to repair.

MFU also has been a strong advocate for farmers’ right to fully repair their own equipment, including through legislative work at the state level, and MFU President Walter Schweitzer said he’s thankful the issue is being taken to court.

“Farmers Union has been on the frontline battling for right to repair. I know Chairwoman Khan has a strong case, and I am sure the court will agree,” Schweitzer said. “MFU will continue pushing for legislation in Helena and Washington to make farmers’ right to repair the law of the land.”

“NFU filed the formal complaint with the FTC to uphold farmers’ basic economic right to repair their own equipment. Today’s lawsuits mark a key victory in this fight for family farmers and ranchers, recognizing that monopolies should not stop farmers from being able to repair their own equipment,” said NFU President Rob Larew. “When we prevail, farmers will have the power and freedom to fix their equipment faster and at a lower cost. We commend the FTC on this decisive step to safeguard farmers’ rights.”

For years, NFU has championed farmers’ rights to access the tools, information and software necessary to repair their own machinery. John Deere’s repair policies block farmers from fixing their own equipment and force them to rely on a limited number of dealers. This had led to exorbitant costs and significant operational delays during critical planting and harvesting periods. A 2023 study by the US Public Interest Research Group found that U.S. farmers could save as much as $1.2 billion a year if manufacturers like John Deere stopped imposing repair restrictions.