Just a few days into the New Year, the trend in layoffs at agriculture-related companies is continuing, with John Deere announcing layoffs at its Ottumwa, Iowa, plant and Bridgestone-Firestone announcing it is offering buyouts at its agricultural tire plant in Des Moines.
Agriculture Dive’s Nathan Owens reported that “as crop farmers struggle with income declines, agricultural equipment manufacturers have actively reduced production in an attempt to align inventory levels with customer demand. Deere, AGCO, and others are expecting challenging conditions through at least the first half of 2025.”
Deere & Co. Layoffs
Owens reported that “Deere & Co. is laying off dozens of workers at a production plant in Ottumwa, Iowa, after struggling with tractor and equipment sales in recent months.”
“Approximately 75 workers, or 13% of the plant’s workforce, will lose their jobs effective Feb. 7, according to a recent WARN notice,” Owens reported. “The Ottumwa plant just reopened after closing for the month of December due to sluggish demand for hay and forage equipment, the Des Moines Register reported.”…