John Deere plans to close two Iowa manufacturing facilities and shift production elsewhere over the next several years. According to Progressive Farmer, the company will move windrower and round baler production from Ottumwa to Des Moines and transfer Hagie STS sprayer production from Clarion, Iowa, to Thibodaux, Louisiana.
The Iowa Capital Dispatch reported that about 300 employees could be affected under normal production levels, although Deere said workforce impacts will depend on future business conditions and current production remains below typical levels due to the downturn in agriculture.
Ottumwa officials estimate the closure could ultimately eliminate about 400 jobs and more than $30 million in payroll…