Deere/ Precision Planting Lawsuit Likely Won't Impact Other Mergers

Last week the Department of Justice (DOJ) decided to take John Deere to court in an anti-trust lawsuit. At this point the outcome of that lawsuit is unclear. Farmers and industry insiders alike were surprised by the challenge, but some analysts not so much. According to Jim Weisemeyer of Informa Economics, the current road block for the Precision Planting and John Deere Merger is temporary. “There’s not one big leader in this area,” he explained to AgriTalk radio show host Mike Adams. “So some people might say they should have approved it, but I don’t think they want two biggies coming in here at the onset of a fledgling industry.” Precision planting technology is a relatively new industry with very few players. Roger McEowen, an anti-trust law expert with CliftonLarsonAllen, also joined Mike Adams on AgriTalk. He said it was a close call on whether DOJ would do something about this merger, but fortunately the issues are likely to be specific to precision planting.