Picture this…you’re in a race against the weather -- trying to bale the last field of hay before it storms. Before you know it, your tractor comes to a screeching halt. You get out of the tractor and try to find what is wrong. To your surprise, this fix is not something you can handle on your own. 

You quickly call the local equipment dealer, hoping they can help you get the diagnostic software that will find the issue. Instead, the technician tells you that farmers do not have the rights to this software. Therefore, you have to load your tractor on the trailer, take it to the dealership, and patiently wait. 

Many farmers are familiar with this cycle -- they break something on their machinery, find out they don’t have the rights to repair it and are sent an expensive bill from the dealership. The cause of this issue is known as “the right to repair”. 


Repair Prevention

Purchasing farm equipment, cell phones, medical equipment, and vehicles are not cheap. However, even after spending the money, you don’t “technically” have the rights to repair these devices.

Many manufacturers engage in repair prevention, meaning that you no longer have the right to make repairs when your purchase is out of warranty. For example, John Deere puts digital locks on their equipment. This prohibits farmers and third-party repair shops from fixing the equipment -- which allows only John Deere technicians to conduct repairs. 

Repair prevention leaves farmers with two options:

  1. Spend money on expensive parts from the dealer

  2. Buy a new piece of equipment

Both of these options are what have drawn attention to right-to-repair issues. Instead of farmers being able to fix their equipment, limitations make repairing everyday tools difficult. 


Right to Repair Movement

After many farmers, business owners, and automotive industry professionals struggled with the issue, a movement evolved. By 2021 almost all 50 states have proposed a right to repair bill. However, Maine was the only state that made this legislation law. 

After years of battling with large businesses, President Biden decided to make the right to repair a federal issue. On July 9th, 2021, Biden signed a sweeping executive order. This order hopes to reduce repair costs and e-waste. This is a step; however, a federal bill is still needed for lasting results.  

As the law is written by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) and FTC (Federal Trade Commission), their goal is to keep small farms and businesses in mind. They hope to fight back against large agribusinesses and give farmers a right to repair their equipment. 


Impact on Agriculture

So, what does this legislation mean for the agricultural industry? 

Soon, there is a possibility farmers will no longer have to contact dealerships like New Holland, John Deere, Case IH, and Kubota to fix their equipment. Small farms will be able to make the repairs themselves or save money with local repair shops. 

Although this is good news for farmers and ranchers, many farm equipment manufacturers have raised concerns. Some believe these concerns are valid, while others think that large corporations are simply trying to find a way to stop legislation. 

  • Product safety 

  • Voiding warranties

  • Illegal emission issues

  • Unsafe equipment operation

If legislation is passed, manufacturers will face several new challenges. Make sure to stay tuned, as we will be updating our blog with the latest news on this topic. 

What are your thoughts on right to repair? Comment below.