The start of 2025 brought job losses for nearly 200 John Deere employees in Iowa, signaling ongoing adjustments within the agricultural machinery giant due to evolving market dynamics. These recent layoffs highlight the fluctuating nature of John Deere Jobs and the broader agricultural equipment industry.
On January 3rd, John Deere implemented layoffs affecting 112 positions at its Waterloo facility and 80 at the Davenport Works. Adding to this, a further 75 job cuts are scheduled for February at the Ottumwa, Iowa plant, according to data from WARN layoff notices. This follows a significant reduction in workforce throughout 2024, where the company laid off 2,167 employees across various Iowa and Illinois locations, including Waterloo, Davenport, Dubuque, Ankeny, Johnston, Urbandale, Ottumwa, Moline, and East Moline.
In an official statement, Deere & Co. cited “challenging market conditions” leading to decreased demand from farmers as the primary driver behind these workforce reductions. This downturn comes after a period of exceptional profitability for the company.
John Deere’s financial performance reached a peak in 2022, with record profits of $10.16 billion. This surge was partly attributed to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which caused a spike in crop prices in the U.S., enabling farmers to invest more in agricultural equipment. However, since then, the company has experienced a 20% decline in sales, and its stock price has decreased by 16%. Profits for 2023 decreased to $7.1 billion, reflecting the shifting economic landscape affecting john deere jobs and the agricultural sector.
Despite these challenges and job reductions, executive compensation at John Deere remains substantial. CEO John May’s compensation totaled $26.7 million in 2023 and $20.3 million in 2022, as detailed in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Earlier statements from Deere in October of the previous year already indicated concerns about market trends. The company referenced U.S. Department of Agriculture projections of a considerable fall in row-crop cash receipts for 2024, following a 5% decrease in 2023. Furthermore, average prices for harvested corn were down 37% from 2022 levels, soybean prices had fallen by 24%, and wheat prices had declined by 35%. These factors directly impact farmer income and their capacity to invest in new equipment, thus influencing the demand for john deere jobs in manufacturing and related sectors.
Adding to the complexity, Deere & Co. announced in June plans to relocate the manufacturing of skid steer loaders and compact track loaders from Dubuque, Iowa, to Mexico by the end of 2026. While a company representative stated this move is “unrelated to the layoffs,” it represents a broader strategic shift in John Deere’s manufacturing footprint.
Political factors have also entered the picture. In September, Donald Trump, then a Republican presidential nominee, threatened a 200% tariff on John Deere products manufactured in Mexico. Although Trump erroneously claimed in October that Deere had reversed the relocation decision, the company clarified that there have been no changes to the plan to move some production to Mexico.
John Deere has cut more than 4,500 jobs since 2015, impacting manufacturing and agricultural equipment jobs.
These recent layoffs and strategic shifts underscore the evolving landscape of john deere jobs. While challenging market conditions are currently impacting employment numbers, understanding the factors at play provides valuable context for those interested in careers within John Deere and the agricultural equipment industry. The company’s long-term strategies and responses to market fluctuations will continue to shape the future of john deere jobs and its workforce.
