John Deere, Butterball to lay off hundreds of employees

John Deere is cutting 100 positions from its Waterloo Works plant in 2025, and Butterball will cut 200 positions in Jonesboro, Ark.

In another sign of the times, more ag companies have announced they are making cuts to navigate the economy.

John Deere has told Iowa that it is letting around 100 people go from its Waterloo Works plant come the new year. It is the latest in several layoffs by the company. During their latest earnings report, Deere said demand is down and they will continue adjusting to remain competitive.

Butterball is also handing out pink slips. The company will close its Jonesboro, Arkansas plant, putting nearly 200 people out of work. The plant will close in early February, with production transferred to another facility. Butterball’s CEO says it was a difficult decision, and they will work with afffected employees.

Related Stories
Crop producers face tightening credit and lower incomes, while strong cattle markets continue to stabilize finances in livestock-heavy regions.
Supplemental Disaster Relief Program Stage Two will disburse around $16 billion, approved by Congress last year. Sign-ups begin Monday, and producers have until April to return applications.
Removing the 40% duty sharply lowers U.S. beef import costs on beef, coffee, fertilizer and fruit, and restores Brazil’s competitiveness during a period of tight domestic supply.
Experts say farmers and ethanol producers would benefit from a risk-based ILUC system that protects forests without relying on speculative modeling.
Farm CPA Paul Neiffer explains the USDA’s Stage Two Supplemental Disaster Relief Program, including application details, deadlines, and guidance for rural producers.
CattleCon 2026 kicks off February 3 in Nashville. Kristin Torres with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association joined RFD-TV to share more about what’s ahead at this year’s event.