Moline, Ill.-based Deere & Co. last week said that the majority of production employees at the John Deere Ottumwa Works will be laid off until later this year to ensure that factory production is aligned with market demand.

The company held employee meetings at the factory last week to announce the layoffs. Of the total production workforce, 494 will go on indefinite layoff effective June 29th while the remaining 195 will face periodic inventory adjustment layoffs throughout the next several months.

The announcement extends the normal two-week summer shutdown at the John Deere Ottumwa Works. The company said market conditions will define when employees could return to work. The layoffs are based on seniority with the company.

The John Deere Ottumwa Works manufactures balers, mower conditioners, windrowers and pull-type forage harvesters used by hay and livestock producers.