Farm Groups Back Deere Repair Pact, Fault WOTUS
Farm operators gain a repair access agreement while the revised WOTUS rule faces criticism for adding confusion and legal costs.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Agriculture
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The American Farm Bureau Federation, meeting at its annual convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico, announced a memorandum of understanding with John Deere on farm equipment repair while criticizing a revised WOTUS rule from federal regulators. Farm bill shaping and sustainability are expected to be its top priorities this year.
Why it matters
Equipment owners face a repair-access arrangement that covers tools, information, and resources while protecting John Deere's intellectual property and equipment safety. The Bureau says the revised WOTUS rule will bring more confusion and more legal work for farm operations.
More than 3,800 people sent messages to the EPA within 36 hours of the Bureau's prior-year convention speech, and 260 members of Congress are new to farm bill work. The figures come from the Bureau's own account and have not been independently verified.
The players
American Farm Bureau Federation
A national agricultural trade organization representing farm owners and operators on federal policy, regulation, and advocacy.
John Deere
A major manufacturer of agricultural and construction equipment whose products are central to modern farm operations.
Zippy Duvall
President of the American Farm Bureau Federation, who leads the organization's policy and advocacy agenda for farm operators.
Environmental Protection Agency
The federal agency that administers the Clean Water Act and the WOTUS rule affecting farm land and water use.
The details
The memorandum of understanding addresses access to tools, information, and resources needed to repair farm equipment, while protecting John Deere's intellectual property rights and ensuring equipment safety. Duvall said the revised WOTUS rule does not reflect much of what the Bureau called for and will lead to more confusion and more lawyers. He added that farmers should not have to hire a team of lawyers to tell them how to farm their land.
Timeline
Last year: Duvall called for a new WOTUS rule at the convention.
Within 36 hours of last year's speech: more than 3,800 people messaged the EPA.
Recently: Congress passed the SUSTAINS Act.
This year: shaping a farm bill is a top Bureau priority.
November 3, 2026: AFBF convention opens in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Market Landscape
The revised WOTUS rule continues a long-running dispute over how far federal Clean Water Act jurisdiction extends onto farmland. The Bureau's push for a new rule and its MOU with John Deere show agricultural trade groups pursuing both regulatory and equipment-access channels at once.
Farm operators should track how the revised WOTUS rule affects permitting and land-use obligations on their own operations. Equipment owners should review repair options under the new John Deere arrangement before making service decisions.
The takeaway
Track the revised WOTUS rule's compliance requirements and the terms of the John Deere repair access arrangement as they take effect. Consult a qualified attorney before changing land-use or permitting practices based on these developments.
Further reading
For broader context on farm policy and equipment, explore more Agriculture coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Farm Progress.
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