Rural Issue

Deere responds to DOJ’s complaint

John Deere has filed a response to the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) antitrust lawsuit regarding Deere’s proposed acquisition of Precision Planting from Monsanto.

In August, DOJ challenged the proposed transaction saying that, because it involved the largest manufacturers of high speed planting technology, competition would be reduced.  In its official response to DOJ, John Deere argues that the deal would actually create more choices for growers and increase access to technology.

At the same time, Deere has announced an agreement with technology  and software manufacturer Ag Leader that will allow Ag Leader to offer products currently sold by Precision Planting.  That move, which Deere says “further enhances competition in the market and expands customers’ choices for planting equipment”, could improve the prospects of the Deere-Precision Planting deal being approved.

Brownfield discussed these developments with Deere’s director of global public relations Ken Golden.

AUDIO: Ken Golden