Why It Matters

Brandt Holdings Co.’s entry into federal lobbying signifies that farming industry is in crisis. Agricultural equipment sales are projected to fall 15-20 percent in 2025, driven by record-low crop prices and rising tariffs that have increased equipment costs by 13-16 percent. The company is positioned to influence several critical policy outcomes:

  • Farm Bill reauthorization: Congress is years overdue passing new legislation, creating uncertainty for agricultural producers and equipment purchasers during acute farm financial distress.
  • Tax policy: Recent legislation restored 100% bonus depreciation and doubled Section 179 expensing to $2.5 million—provisions that directly benefit equipment purchases but may face modification in broader tax debates.
  • Tariff policy: Current tariffs on machinery and parts are reshaping trade dynamics, with uncertainty remaining about permanence despite temporary rate reductions.
  • Right-to-repair legislation: Emerging federal efforts could impact dealer networks and manufacturer business models.

By the Numbers

Brandt Holdings Co. filed its first federal lobbying registration in January 2025, retaining Shumaker Advisors LLC, which has generated over $2.8 million in lobbying fees across 392 disclosures since 2018.

Brandt hired Shumaker Advisors LLC in January 2025 with a four-person team including Ryan Paul Walker, who spent nearly 15 years as senior House staff, and Jason Mark Ouimet, a former Senate legislative assistant.

Others on the team include:

The Agenda

Brandt Holdings Co. will lobby on agriculture, manufacturing, real estate, sports, and tourism issues. As one of the world’s largest John Deere dealership networks, Brandt will advocate on Farm Bill policies, equipment regulations, tax provisions affecting manufacturers, and conservation programs. The company enters federal advocacy during intense congressional focus on the agricultural crisis, stalled Farm Bill reauthorization, and tax legislation impacting equipment manufacturers.

Broader Context

Congress is intensely focused on agricultural policy amid severe farm sector distress. The House Agriculture Committee held hearings on the \"Economic Crisis in Farm Country\" and \"Financing Farm Operations,\" while lawmakers debate the next Farm Bill. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) met with dealers representing CNH Industrial to discuss trade policy.

Tax provisions benefiting equipment purchases are in active debate. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) promotes doubled Section 179 expensing caps, while Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) champions restoring bonus depreciation. Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS) joined leaders from John Deere and Caterpillar to discuss manufacturing’s future.

Between The Lines

Key legislation includes the bipartisan Securing American Agriculture Act (H.R.1995/S.912), mandating assessment of U.S. agricultural import dependency from China, and the Agriculture Resilience Act (S.1507), containing farmland preservation provisions. The Senate examined foreign ownership of U.S. farmland, while Farm Bill reauthorization remains stalled, creating policy uncertainty for the sector.

Competitive Landscape

Brandt enters a competitive environment where Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) actively lobbies on overlapping issues including Farm Bill reauthorization, right-to-repair legislation, and tax provisions. Manitou America Holding Inc. registered in 2025 specifically for trade and manufacturing policy, confirming tax incentives and Farm Bill reauthorization represent central industry battlegrounds.

The Bottom Line

Brandt Holdings Co., a major John Deere dealership network, hired Shumaker Advisors LLC to lobby on agriculture, manufacturing, and tax issues as farm equipment sales collapse and Congress remains deadlocked on Farm Bill reauthorization. The team’s Hill connections position Brandt to influence debates over equipment tariffs, tax incentives, and right-to-repair legislation affecting dealer networks and farmer purchasing power.