Farmers Spent $1.4 Billion More on Diesel During Planting Season

Successful Farming’s Mariah Squire reported that, “a new study by Joint Economic Committee Democrats found that farmers of key crops in the U.S. spent $1.4 billion more on diesel fuel during the 2025–2026 planting season than they did last season.” “The study, released last Thursday, analyzed corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, and rice planted by U.S. farmers,” Squire reported. “The 2025–2026 increase in diesel spending to plant those crops was a 63% jump year-over-year, according to the analysis.” “Calculations were made using data from AAA and the Energy Information Administration, estimates of average fuel use by crop and field operation from USDA and Iowa State University Ag Decision Maker research, and USDA data on 2025 and 2026 acreage and planting windows for the five crop types,” Squire reported.  “The study found that Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota had the highest increase overall in planting diesel costs.” “Sixteen of the nation’s top 18 corn-growing states were included in the top 20 states affected,” Squire reported. “All of the nation’s top 18 soybean-growing states were included in the top 20 states affected.”

Average Farmer Paid Approximately $1,500 More Per Fuel Tank Refill

Michigan Farm News reported that, “in terms of total diesel fuel spending increases, Illinois saw the highest increase year-over-year at $163.2 million, followed by Iowa (+$151.1 million), Minnesota (+$101.7 million), Nebraska (+$99.9 million) and North Dakota (+$88.6 million) rounding out the top 5 states.” “The report noted that the cost ‘doesn’t take into account other war-related increases such as the increased costs of running diesel generators that power some greenhouses or the increases at the pump that farmers and truckers face when they drive products to market,’” Michigan Farm News reported.  Farms.com reported that, “according to the findings, the average farmer paid approximately $1,500 more to refill a typical on-farm fuel tank compared to peak costs experienced during the 2025 planting season. Nationwide, the added cost to refill a farm fuel tank reached an average of $1,538.” “The higher costs also extend to farm equipment and transportation vehicles,” Farms.com reported. “The report found that filling a typical grain truck cost about $205 more, while refueling a typical tractor cost roughly $250 more than previous levels.”

Rising Fuel Cost Remains Key Concern for Farmers

“Farm groups continue to monitor energy markets and input costs as producers evaluate budgets for upcoming growing seasons,” Farms.com reported. “Rising expenses for fuel, fertilizer, and transportation remain key concerns for farmers working to maintain profitability while producing food, feed, and fuel for domestic and global markets.” AgroLatam’s Marcus Ellington reported that, “the findings reinforce how energy prices remain a better driver of production costs across US agriculture.” “For grain producers, every increase in diesel prices affects multiple operations, including tillage, planting, spraying, harvesting and transportation,” Ellington reported. “As growers prepare for future planting seasons, elevated fuel costs could influence machinery investments, crop selection and operating strategies. Combined with uncertainty surrounding commodity markets, weather conditions and agricultural policy, diesel inflation remains another significant challenge facing US farmers in 2026.”