Jan 14 (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has

prepared a lawsuit against Deere & Co ( DE ) alleging the

company's agricultural equipment repair practices violate

competition laws, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing

people familiar with the matter.

The report also said the FTC was prepared to file the case

as soon as this week, over concerns that the farm equipment

maker had withheld key information and diagnostic tools from

farmers and independent repair shops.

The FTC's commissioners have not taken a final vote on

whether to file a case, the report said.

Deere did not immediately respond to a Reuters request

for comment.