Deere (NYSE: DE) names Cargill CEO Brian Sikes to board as Raj Kalathur plans retirement

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Deere & Company reported leadership changes at both the board and executive levels. The Board of Directors increased its size from 10 to 11 members and elected Brian Sikes, Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cargill, Incorporated, as a director effective December 4, 2025. He will also serve on the company’s Compensation and Corporate Governance committees, adding experience from a large global agribusiness to Deere’s board.

The company stated there are no arrangements or related party relationships involving Mr. Sikes that require disclosure. Deere also announced that Raj Kalathur plans to retire as President, John Deere Financial and Chief Information Officer effective January 31, 2026. Deere issued a press release on December 4, 2025 regarding Mr. Sikes’ appointment, which is included as an exhibit.

0000315189falseDEERE & CO0000315189us-gaap:CommonStockMember2025-12-032025-12-030000315189de:Debentures6.55PercentDue2028Member2025-12-032025-12-0300003151892025-12-032025-12-03

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

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​	FORM 8-K	​

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report: December 3, 2025

(Date of earliest event reported)

DEERE & COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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Delaware	​	1-4121	​	36-2382580
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	​	(Commission File Number)	​	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

One John Deere Place

Moline, Illinois 61265

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

(309) 765-8000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

___________________________________________________

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:

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Title of each class	​	Trading symbol	​	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, $1 par value	​	DE	​	New York Stock Exchange
6.55% Debentures Due 2028	​	DE28	​	New York Stock Exchange

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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

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Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers, Election of Directors, Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On December 3, 2025, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Deere & Company (the “Company”) increased the size of the Board from 10 to 11 directors and elected Brian Sikes to the Board effective December 4, 2025. Mr. Sikes is the Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cargill, Incorporated (“Cargill”) headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota. Cargill is a multinational producer and marketer of food, agricultural, and industrial products and services. Mr. Sikes has also been appointed as a member of the Compensation and Corporate Governance committees.

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There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Sikes and any other persons pursuant to which Mr. Sikes was selected as a director. The Company is not aware of any related party transactions or relationships between Mr. Sikes’ and the Company that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

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In addition, on December 3, 2025, Raj Kalathur notified the Board of his intention to retire as President, John Deere Financial and Chief Information Officer for the Company, effective January 31, 2026.

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Item 7.01Regulation FD Disclosure.

On December 4, 2025, the Company issued a press release relating to Mr. Sikes’ appointment, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated by reference as Exhibit 99.1.

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The information in this Item 7.01 is not filed for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is not deemed incorporated by reference by any general statements incorporating by reference this report or future filings into any filings under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates the information by reference.

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Item 9.01Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)Exhibits

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Number	Description of Exhibit
99.1	Press Release dated December 4, 2025
104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (the cover page XBRL tags are imbedded in the Inline XBRL document)

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Signature

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

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​	DEERE & COMPANY
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Dated: December 4, 2025	By:	/s/ Kellye L. Walker
​	​	Kellye L. Walker
​	​	Corporate Secretary
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FAQ

What leadership changes did Deere (DE) announce in this Form 8-K?

Deere & Company announced that its Board increased from 10 to 11 directors, elected Brian Sikes as a new director effective December 4, 2025, and disclosed the planned retirement of Raj Kalathur as President, John Deere Financial and Chief Information Officer effective January 31, 2026.

Who is Brian Sikes and what role will he have at Deere (DE)?

Brian Sikes is the Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cargill, Incorporated. He has been elected to Deere & Company’s Board of Directors effective December 4, 2025 and will serve on the Compensation and Corporate Governance committees.

Are there any related party transactions between Deere (DE) and Brian Sikes?

Deere & Company stated it is not aware of any related party transactions or relationships between Brian Sikes and the company that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

When will Raj Kalathur retire from his roles at Deere (DE)?

Raj Kalathur notified the Board of his intention to retire as President, John Deere Financial and Chief Information Officer effective January 31, 2026.

Did Deere (DE) issue a press release about Brian Sikes appointment?

Yes. Deere & Company issued a press release on December 4, 2025 regarding Brian Sikes’ appointment to the Board. The press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference.

Does this Deere (DE) 8-K include any financial results or earnings data?

No. The disclosure focuses on board and executive leadership changes and the related press release, without presenting financial results or earnings data.