Gov. Jeff Landry declared a statewide distillate fuel emergency and temporarily suspended state penalties for using dyed off-road diesel in specified highway farm and timber vehicles through Oct. 22.
State order (effective Sept. 23) suspends Louisiana penalties for using dyed off-road diesel in Class 2 forest-products vehicles and Class 5 farm-use highway vehicles through Oct. 22.
Diesel prices in Louisiana have roughly doubled compared with a year ago and reached about $6.02–$6.03 per gallon, while agricultural budgets assumed $2.85 per gallon.
Higher fuel costs coincide with peak harvest across nearly 2 million acres and add to production-cost pressures despite some commodity price gains.
# What happened Governor Jeff Landry signed an executive order declaring a statewide emergency over a shortage of distillate fuel. The order took effect Wednesday and remains in force through October 22. It suspends state laws and penalties that normally prohibit use of dyed, off-road diesel in certain licensed highway vehicles used in farming and timber operations.
# Who is affected The suspension applies specifically to two vehicle classes:
# Federal rules and follow-up steps
# Why the order was issued now Diesel prices in Louisiana climbed to about $6.02 per gallon on Wednesday, near a state record of $6.03 set earlier in the week. By comparison, diesel averaged $3.30 per gallon in Louisiana a year earlier. The LSU AgCenter's 2026 crop enterprise budgets were based on an assumed diesel price of $2.85 per gallon.
The timing coincides with peak harvest activity: U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates cited in the order put 2026 Louisiana harvest acreage at roughly 1.02 million acres of soybeans, 540,000 acres of sugarcane, and 394,000 acres of rice. The order notes that agricultural diesel consumption reaches its highest annual rate during harvest, increasing economic exposure to fuel prices.
# Economic context provided in the order
# Supply factors mentioned National distillate data in the order showed elevated U.S. exports and tight inventories: distillate exports reached near-record weekly levels (1.94 million barrels per day for a referenced week), and U.S. distillate inventories and days of supply were described as the lowest recorded for that time of year.
# Immediate practical implications for operators Qualified farm and timber operators can temporarily use dyed off-road diesel in eligible highway vehicles without facing the usual state fines through Oct. 22. They should be aware that federal penalties could still apply unless and until federal relief is granted. Operators who rely on budget assumptions tied to lower diesel prices should account for sustained higher fuel costs during harvest.
# Bottom line
Gov. Jeff Landry has issued an executive order allowing Louisiana farmers and timber harvesters to use dyed diesel fuel, effective immediately.
Gov. Jeff Landry has declared a statewide emergency over Louisiana’s diesel shortage, giving farmers and timber harvesters a way to stretch the fuel they already have at the height of harvest. The executive order, signed September 22 and effective September 23, temporarily waives state penalties for putting “dyed diese
An executive order from Gov. Landry is aiming to help farmers and timber harvesters during harvest season in Louisiana.
“Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) declared a statewide disaster Monday to address high fuel prices, allowing expanded use of dyed diesel, raising the allowable weight for certain truck loads, and suspending some federal diesel emission rules,” the Washington Post reports. “Dyed diesel is normally restricted to off-road farm
Gov. Jeff Landry has declared a state of emergency over Louisiana’s diesel fuel shortage, giving farmers and timber harvesters a way to stretch their fuel supply during peak harvest season. The executive order, signed September 22 and effective September 23, temporarily suspends state penalties for using “dyed diesel”
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