Full Breakdown
John Deere Settlement Expands Right-to-Repair for Farmers
7/13/2026, 11:12:14 AM
Core Event: FTC and Five States Secure 10-Year Repair-Access Agreement
On July 8, 2026 the Federal Trade Commission and attorneys general from Wisconsin, Illinois, Arizona, Michigan and Minnesota announced a settlement with John Deere & Company. The agreement requires Deere, for the next ten years, to provide owners of its tractors, combines and harvesters—and independent repair shops—the same diagnostic and software tools it currently reserves for authorized dealers. The FTC will oversee compliance, and Deere must pay the five states a collective $1 million for antitrust-enforcement costs. The settlement also bars dealers from retaliating against customers who choose independent repairs.
Background & Context
The settlement resolves an antitrust lawsuit filed in January 2025 alleging that Deere “unlawfully acquired and maintained monopoly power” by restricting access to repair software. For decades, only Deere-authorized dealers could fix electronic issues, driving up costs and wait times for farmers. Earlier in 2026 Deere settled a separate $99 million class-action with farmers, but that case compensated consumers without changing repair-tool availability. The new FTC-led agreement directly addresses the long-standing “right-to-repair” demand from agricultural groups.
Key Figures & Groups
- John Deere & Company – Manufacturer of farm equipment and holder of proprietary repair software.
- Federal Trade Commission – Enforcer of the settlement and overseer of future repair-resource disclosures.
- State Attorneys General – Josh Kaul (Wisconsin), Kris Mayes (Arizona), and their counterparts in Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota.
- Daniel Guarnera – Director, FTC Bureau of Competition.
- Denver Caldwell – Vice President of Aftermarket and Customer Support, John Deere.
- Rob Larew – President, National Farmers Union.
- Scott Blubaugh – President, American Farmers & Ranchers Cooperative.
- Michael Slattery – Northeast Wisconsin farmer providing a local perspective.
Data & Statistics
- $1 million total payment to the five states for enforcement costs.
- 5 states plus the FTC involved in the lawsuit.
- 10-year term for mandatory tool sharing and compliance oversight.
- Future resources created during the term must also be made available to owners and independent shops.
Why It Matters
By opening access to diagnostic software, the settlement aims to reduce repair delays, lower costs for independent mechanics, and increase competition in the farm-equipment service market. Proponents argue the change restores a practice “farmers have done for generations.” Critics note that the high cost of modern electronic components may limit savings for small-scale operators.
Official Statements & Responses
Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul said the deal “opens it up so that if farmers want to have their own repairs done, they can do that or go to an independent repair shop.”
John Deere’s Denver Caldwell emphasized the company’s long-standing focus on keeping machines running and called the agreement a “real difference” for customers.
FTC Director Daniel Guarnera described the settlement as enabling farmers to fix equipment without paying an authorized dealer.
National Farmers Union President Rob Larew hailed the win as delivering a right farmers “should have had all along.”
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes noted that Arizona farmers had been “at the mercy of Deere’s monopoly over repair tools.”
American Farmers & Ranchers President Scott Blubaugh praised the FTC for listening to farmer concerns and called the settlement a “great step” toward permanent nationwide right-to-repair legislation.
Criticism & Opposition
Northeast Wisconsin farmer Michael Slattery cautioned that “the software needed to repair John Deere equipment on its own would still be too expensive,” suggesting that average farmers may not see immediate cost reductions. He expects larger commercial farms and independent shops to benefit more readily.
On-the-Ground Reports
Slattery’s comments reflect a broader sentiment among some small-scale producers that, despite increased tool access, the price of proprietary software and hardware components could limit practical savings.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While officials project cost savings and greater choice, there is no independent data yet confirming reduced repair expenses for average farmers. The settlement’s impact on long-term equipment reliability and pricing remains unquantified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Farmers shouldn’t have to go to a dealership to have repairs made to their farm equipment,” — Josh Kaul, Wisconsin Attorney General
- “We’ve said from the beginning that our focus is on helping customers keep their machines running when and how they need them,” — Denver Caldwell, John Deere Vice President of Aftermarket and Customer Support
- “The settlement ‘enables farmers to do what they’ve done for generations — fix their own tractors and other farm equipment — without having to pay an authorized John Deere dealer to do it for them,’ Daniel Guarnera, the director of the F.T.C.’s Bureau of Competition, said in a statement on Wednesday,” — Daniel Guarnera, Director, FTC Bureau of Competition
- “‘Farmers Union championed this win from the beginning, and we are happy to see the settlement provide farmers with what they should have had all along: the right to repair their own equipment,” — Rob Larew, National Farmers Union President
- “We’re thrilled the FTC listened to farmer concerns and helped bring necessary reforms to the marketplace.” — Scott Blubaugh, American Farmers & Ranchers Cooperative President
- “Maribel crop farmer Michael Slattery said the software needed to repair John Deere equipment on its own would still be too expensive.” — Michael Slattery, farmer
What’s Next
The FTC will monitor Deere’s compliance for the duration of the ten-year term, reviewing the availability of new diagnostic tools and ensuring non-retaliation provisions are upheld. Stakeholders anticipate that the settlement could shape future federal or state right-to-repair legislation, though no specific bills have been announced.
