Diesel Price Surge Hits Harvest Costs for MN, IA Farmers Hard

Rising diesel prices are putting pressure on Minnesota and Iowa farmers as they begin their fall harvest season. According to AAA, the national average for diesel is $5.90 a gallon, up 30 cents from one week ago and $2.20 from the same time last year.

A congressional report details the financial hit farmers took getting their crops in the ground. The analysis finds that higher diesel prices increased the cost of planting major crops by more than $1.4 billion in 2026 compared to the previous year, a 63% increase. Major crops include corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, and rice.

Illinois topped the list of states affected, followed closely by Iowa at No. 2 with over $151 million in additional diesel costs. Minnesota ranked No. 3, with over $100 million in increased diesel costs this year compared to last.