Farmers spent $1.4B more on diesel during planting season

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, reports Successful Farming. The increase in diesel spending to plant corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, and rice was a 63% jump year-over-year. Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota had the highest increase overall. According to Michigan Farm News, 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. Farms.com says the average farmer paid roughly $1,500 more to refill a typical on-farm fuel tank compared to peak costs experienced during the 2025 planting season. AgroLatam warns elevated fuel costs could influence machinery investments, crop selection and operating strategies.