John Deere Repair Battle and Trade War Already
From the Ag Information Network, this is your Agribusiness Update.
**Jonn Deere and Co. filed an answer to the Federal Trade Commission’s lawsuit alleging the tractor manufacturer holds a monopoly over its repair services.
The FTC says that unfairly drives up costs and restricts farmers from fixing their equipment in a timely manner.
Attorneys defended John Deere by repeatedly denying allegations that its “business practices are unlawful.”
Manufacturing Dive says the issue over equipment repair practices has been building for years.
**Most respondents in Farm Journal’s March Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor agree the U.S. is already in a trade war.
U.S. agriculture hit a record trade deficit last year as imports soared, and President Trump wants to reverse the trend.
According to the administration, when it comes to tariffs and their impact on the overall economy, the long-term gain will be worth the short-term pain.
**In what a DTN analysts calls “bullish,” the U.S. Cattle on Feed Report showed the beef herd was down 2% from last year.
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more cows totaled 11.6 million head on March 1st.
Placements in feedlots in February totaled 1.55 million head, down 18% from 2024.
February fed cattle marketings totaled 1.63 million head, down 9%.
