An Oct. 17 report in Capital Press says Deere & Co. claims CNH Industrial initiated the complaint with the U.S. Dept. of Justice that led to the DOJ’s blocking of Deere’s acquisition of Precision Planting from Monsanto.

According to the government’s complaint, the merger would allow Deere to control 86% of the high-speed planters that allow farmers to double the speed at which they plant seeds.

In its response, Deere said the Department of Justice initially cleared the merger, “only to change its mind and bring this lawsuit when a Deere competitor protested.”

“However, it is a fundamental maxim that antitrust laws are meant to protect competition, not competitors,” according to Deere’s answer. “Growers deserve the benefits of this transaction and the increased innovation, competition, and consumer choice that a combination of Deere and Precision Planting will create.”

According to the Capital Press report, Deere is asking a federal judge to provide confidential information used by DOJ to file its complaint to attorneys from Deere and Monsanto. DOJ’s complaint is based on “investigative material” that was largely provided by CNH Industrial, which leases Precision Planting technology.

“In this case, the Deere competitors, especially CNH, are the driving force behind the government’s investigation,” the document said.

CNH opposes the release of confidential information gathered by DOJ.

Read the full report here.