Farm Machinery: Monopoly and the Right to Repair
Just two companies—John Deere and CNH Industrial—control nearly 90% of the U.S. markets for large tractors and combines, harming farmers and rural communities.
Just two companies—John Deere and CNH Industrial—control nearly 90% of the U.S. markets for large tractors and combines, harming farmers and rural communities.
“I’m really hopeful that this letter can help with the roadmap to some actionable steps,” said Farm Action President Angela Huffman.
“We call on USDA to stand with farmers growing healthy food for Americans and fulfill the promise at the heart of the Make America Healthy Again movement,” said Angela Huffman, president of Farm Action.
Joe Maxwell, co-founder of Farm Action, joins Unscripted to discuss how monopolies in markets like cattle and fertilizer are reshaping agriculture—and not for the better.
Ranchers say they are under pressure from four decades of consolidation among the meat processors that buy their livestock, while facing high input costs.
“If Trump goes through with what he outlined, I do believe it’s a betrayal of the American rancher,” said Farm Action’s Christian Lovell, and Illinois cattle rancher.
“For years, multinational meatpackers have been allowed to import beef without indicating its origin—undermining U.S. ranchers and leaving consumers in the dark,” said Farm Action President Angela Huffman.
“President Trump’s plan to buy beef from Argentina is a betrayal of the American rancher,” said Farm Action’s Christian Lovell.
“Washington should be focused on fixing our broken cattle market, not rewarding foreign competitors,” said Farm Action’s Christian Lovell.
NPR speaks with farmer and Farm Action co-founder Joe Maxwell about how the government shutdown is stressing already overwhelmed American farmers.