My fishing buddy is a Fendt and Cat ag salesman and he will tell ya John Deere is the big green monster in his world..

I looked quick but didn't see, what employees were laid off? White collar workers are not being valued like they were, turns out if you can work from home there's a solid chance AI or Pajeet can also do your job.

SALES ARE GOING DOWN COST IS UP AND UNION ON STRIKE FOR HIGHER WAGES,

If cat made quality small tractors that operated like my equipment at work it would be a no brainer choice for me. With my arm on my arm rest the loader control pistol grip is right in my hand zero reaching for the lever at all. And shuttle shift= no cluching or working a treadle peddle.

Net US farm income was down last year from 2022 and is projected to be down in 2024 from 2023. About 30% less net these last couple years. Prices are down for almost all commodities and input and equipment prices are still very high. With higher interest rates also there is not enough income to replace farm equipment. Would be interesting to see which divisions are laying off, major agriculture or small tractors, lawn mowers etc. Their bigger sales the last years have been more industrial and recreational then in basic ag. Not on common to see these swings in our farm economy.

Bryce

According to dailyjobcuts.com this has been going on for awhile you just don't hear about, starting to really pick up steam now.

Deere in Dubuque iowa is laying off around 200. They make construction equipment there. Must be a lower demand for akid loaders, backhoe and dozers.

Im sure different regions see different preferences, but JD has lost a lot of their grip in these parts as I said.

I see Fendt tractors are German made, If the price is comparable to Deere it's a no brainer.... cause it's German, lol

There are some Fendt tractors built in MN. DCPD plastics molded in Michigan, painted in MN and assembled in MN. Not sure where other components are made.

I've lost a lot of respect for JD since they started designing their products to only be repaired by JD personnel.
The 'Right to repair' types have been after them for years to make their products so a farmer or whoever can fix it without JD guidance.

I dislike Apple products for the same reason.

Since January 2023 farmers can repair their JD equipment or use a 3rd party.

Bryce

I was not aware of that. That's a good thing.

I bet they were forced into it however.......

Praise the Lord!

AGCO is hiring !

Owners of Fendt

I have a relative who is in charge the sales teams of a large number of deere dealerships. His family farm that he is still a part of switched from deere tractors to leased Massy Ferguson. What does that tell you?

That's he's a slow learner? LOL

Better late than never.

Many large farms and or large custom system now use leasing as a common way to gain access to newer technology and not have to commit a lot of leverage or collateral to buy the expensive equipment. Lease rates are not always lower cost or the best but it does give the option to up grade more quickly then many would by owning and then trading. It may not be as common in the heavy cash grain areas but here with all our forage production leasing is quite common as usage is high and updates in tech is pretty quick. Tieing up a lot of capital in ownership and debt even with even 3,000 acres to harvest is not generally a good way to produce products cost effectively. Finding labor to run 4-8 pieces of equipment let alone 6-8 semis is not easy to find and thus custom operators have become very common here. The bigger machinery dealers here have been willing to work out lease agreements. The big issue dealers have is it is not as easy as one would think to find a buyer for a 3-4 year old used 700 hp chopper or a 27 foot tractor mounted haybine.

Bryce