The Federal Trade Commission and USDA are looking for public input as they investigate farm equipment dealers and manufacturers regarding fair business practices.
The joint Request for Information comes in response to the increasing number of complaints USDA has received from farmers facing multiple barriers when purchasing machinery or accessing the parts and services required to keep equipment operating.
Examining Market Barriers and Restrictive Practices
Federal regulators are encouraging farmers, independent repair providers and former employees of agricultural equipment manufacturers and dealers to share their experiences. The FTC and USDA are seeking public input on:
- Any relevant business models, policies, agreements or contractual terms.
- Any firsthand experiences or documented cases of restrictions, penalties or retaliation.
- Broader competitive implications — how these practices might impact pricing, market entry, innovation, farmer welfare or rural economic resilience.
According to the agencies, this input will help them ensure the market place for agricultural equipment remains, “fair and that farmers can continue to put food on Americans’ tables.”
Building on Recent Antitrust Enforcement
This inquiry is part of FTC’s broader push to preserve competition in the agricultural sector. This includes two previous settlements:
- Corteva Pesticide Settlement: Joined by 12 states, FTC lowered pesticide prices for American farmers in an antitrust case against Corteva.
- John Deere “Right to Repair” Settlement: Joined by five states, FTC ensured that John Deere must now give farmers and independent technicians the same repair tools and software as authorized dealers.
How to Submit Public Comments
The public comment period is currently open online via Regulations.gov. All submissions must be turned in no later than Dec. 7, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
