The analysis of federal price indexes also shows agricultural producers have consistently paid more to operate than they have received in return, with costs outpacing prices in every month since at least 2015.
The industry giant faces FTC scrutiny over its repair policies, which critics say drive up costs and limit farmers’ choices. Meanwhile, elected officials in more than a dozen states are considering right-to-repair bills to improve independent repair access.
In its final days, the Biden administration sued John Deere over repair restrictions, calling them "unfair corporate tactics" that hurt farmers. The lawsuit joins a string a Big Ag cases that will soon be under the Trump administration's watch.
The USDA recently announced a new framework to address concentration in the seed industry. The agency’s hope is that it will boost transparency, promote competition and lower cost.
