Wisconsin Farmers Union Applauds John Deere Right to Repair Settlement

Wisconsin Farmers Union is applauding a landmark settlement reached by the Federal Trade Commission and the attorneys general of Wisconsin, Illinois, Arizona, Michigan, and Minnesota that will expand farmers' ability to repair their own John Deere equipment or work with the independent repair shop of their choice.

The settlement resolves an antitrust lawsuit alleging that John Deere unfairly restricted access to the diagnostic software, repair tools, and technical information needed to fully repair its agricultural equipment. Under the agreement, John Deere must provide farmers and independent repair providers with repair resources equivalent to those available to its authorized dealerships. The settlement also requires the company to make future repair resources available as they are introduced and prohibits retaliation against customers who choose independent repair options. These requirements will remain in effect for 10 years.

Wisconsin Farmers Union has supported Right to Repair legislation for years, arguing that farmers who invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in modern farm equipment should not be forced to rely on a single dealership network to complete repairs, particularly during the narrow planting and harvest windows when downtime can be costly.

"When a tractor breaks down in the middle of planting or harvest, every hour counts," said Wisconsin Farmers Union President Darin Von Ruden. "Farmers should be able to diagnose problems, make repairs themselves if they're able, or hire the independent mechanic they trust. This settlement gives producers more choices, reduces unnecessary delays, and helps restore some balance in a market that has become increasingly restrictive."

Von Ruden noted that while the settlement represents meaningful progress, Wisconsin Farmers Union will continue advocating for broader Right to Repair protections through legislation.

"This is an important victory, but the conversation doesn't end here," Von Ruden said. "Technology will continue to evolve, and farmers deserve permanent protections that make sure they're in control of the equipment they own. Right to Repair is about competition, fairness, and keeping family farms productive."