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Deere & Co. has announced layoffs of nearly 300 employees at its factories in Iowa and Illinois as the company faces a slowdown in sales. In Illinois, 287 workers will be laid off, including 200 at the Harvester Works combine factory in East Moline and 7 at the Seeding and Cylinder operations in Moline. An additional 80 employees at the Davenport Works facility in Iowa, which produces construction equipment, have also been let go. These layoffs are a result of reduced demand for tractors amidst a weakening farm economy and are not related to plans to move production to Mexico.

This marks over 2,000 job cuts by Deere this year, including salaried positions, as declining grain prices have impacted farmer finances and led to decreased equipment purchases. The company reported a 17% decrease in third-quarter revenue, with tractor sales taking a significant hit. Despite previous layoffs and plans to shift production to Mexico, Deere attributes the recent layoffs to ongoing declines in crop prices.

Legislators like Rep. Eric Sorensen emphasize the need for a new farm bill to support farmers and stimulate demand for manufacturers like Deere. Sorensen highlights the importance of programs impacting crop prices and calls for investment to support both farmers and workers in the manufacturing sector.

Deere’s Illinois facilities employ a significant number of workers, with the Harvester Works factory employing 1,880 individuals and the Davenport factory in Iowa having 1,024 workers. The company has faced criticism for its layoffs, with calls for better care of its workforce given its substantial profits. Sorensen and other lawmakers continue to advocate for policies to support both farmers and workers in the agriculture industry.

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