The third quarter of 2025 is wrapping up, and ag companies are retooling their executive team, focusing on growth opportunities in digital capabilities, as they navigate trade challenges and a weakening global economy.
John Deere leads the September 2025 edition of AgTechNavigator’s “Ag Movers & Shakers” column, followed by news from Chinese machinery company Origin Agritech. Email AgTechNavigator Americas editor Ryan Daily here to submit ag-related personnel news for future round-ups.
John Deere makes a trio of appointments
Earlier in September, Deere & Company made a series of leadership appointments, designed “to advance its smart industrial strategy to deliver intelligent, connected machines and solutions that enhance customer economic value,” the company shared in a press release.
Deanna Kovar will move into the role of president of worldwide agriculture and turf division: production and precision ag and the Americas and Australia markets, effective Nov. 3, after serving as the president of John Deere’s small ag and turf business, the company shared. Kovar will be responsible for equipment and technology offerings for production-scale agriculture, and crop care and harvesting equipment, John Deere added.
Additionally, Justin Rose will helm Deere’s worldwide agriculture and turf division: small agriculture, where he will focus on small and compact utility tractors, and forage, hay, and turf care equipment for Africa, Asia, and Europe markets, John Deere said. Previously, Rose served as the president of Deere’s lifecycle solutions, supply management, and customer success division.
Lastly, Cory Reed was appointed to the role Rose previously occupied and will manage the ag giant’s business transformation goals, customer support, precision upgrade, and supply chain, John Deere stated. Previously, Reed served as the company’s president of production and precision ag.
“We’re focused on building an experienced, purpose-driven leadership team dedicated to improving our customers’ success. Each of these leaders brings extensive expertise, a shared vision for innovation, and a deep commitment to delivering value to our customers worldwide,” John May, chairman and CEO of Deere & Company, said in a press release.
Ag machinery companies feel the heat from tariffs
John Deere's recent appointment comes as the company faces market headwinds in the form of higher tariffs, dragging growers’ demand for its equipment down, as the ag machinery giant seeks growth opportunities with its digital offerings. John Deere’s net sales dropped from $5.099 billion in Q3 2024 to $4.273 billion in Q3 2025, as growers take a measured approach to capital investments, AgTechNavigator previously reported.
John Deere’s digital offerings, including its automation capabilities and digital services JD-Link Boost and Operations Center, were predominantly featured at its Farm Progress Show booth, as AgTechNavigator previously shared.
Total farm tractor sales dropped from 150,609 vehicles sold in the first eight months of 2024 to 136,210 for the same period in 2025, for a decline of 9.6%, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers reported. Similarly, self-propelled combines dropped to 2,2 75 units sold for the first eight months of 2025, compared to 3,926 in 2024, declining by 42.1%.
Origin Agritech restructures board
Chinese agricultural technology company Origin Agritech restructured its board of directors, following the resignation of Michael Trimble, Min Lin, Chi Kin Cheng from the board, effective on Sept. 12, the company shared in a press release. With the resignations, Origin Agritech is shrinking its board from seven to five directors.
Origin Agritech appointed Changqing Mao as the independent director and chairman of the nomination committee, and Siu Laam Hau joined as an independent director and chairman of the audit committee, the company stated.
Currently, Mao serves as the co-chairman of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Research Center of China Agricultural University and held roles with CITIC AgriScience and Yuan Longping Agricultural High-Tech Co. Hau is a fellow member of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants and was brought on to provide financial oversight, Origin Agritech shared.
“Dr. Mao’s deep agricultural industry knowledge and proven track record in leading major agricultural enterprises will be invaluable as we continue to expand our biotechnology seed pipeline and market presence. Mr. Hau’s extensive financial expertise and corporate governance experience will strengthen our oversight capabilities and support our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of financial reporting and risk management,” Gengchen Han, chairman of the board for Origin Agritech, said in a press release.
