A high-stakes legal showdown between John Deere and AGCO over high-speed planting technology has finally come to an end. John Deere accused AGCO of stealing its patented technology by using the Speed Tube system in Precision Planting kits. But the courts didn’t buy it—AGCO came out on top.
What’s the Fight About?
AGCO, the parent company of Fendt, Massey Ferguson, and Valtra, acquired Precision Planting in 2017. Along with it came Speed Tube—a system designed to deliver precise seed placement at high speeds. These retrofit kits can be installed on various planter brands, making them a flexible solution for farmers.
John Deere, on the other hand, has its own high-speed planting system, ExactEmerge, which works exclusively with its own planters. Both systems promise accuracy at speeds up to 10 mph, and Deere argued that AGCO’s version was too close for comfort. But the court didn’t see it that way.
Deere Takes a Hit in Court
John Deere’s legal troubles began back in 2016 when it tried to buy Precision Planting from Climate Corporation. The U.S. Department of Justice blocked the deal over monopoly concerns, clearing the way for AGCO to make the purchase instead.
Still, Deere wasn’t ready to give up. It took AGCO to court, claiming patent violations. But in July 2022, the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware ruled in favor of AGCO. Deere appealed the decision, but the Federal Court shut it down, reaffirming that AGCO had done nothing wrong.
“The Federal Court has confirmed the U.S. District Court’s decision that AGCO and Precision Planting did not infringe on Deere’s intellectual property,” AGCO announced in a statement.
AGCO is celebrating the victory, while John Deere walks away empty-handed. One thing’s for sure—this ruling will shake up the competition in high-speed planting technology.