Diesel Prices Devastate Kentucky Farms Amid Record Fuel Costs

Kentucky farmers are struggling to cope with high diesel prices that have increased by over $14,000 per tanker load compared to last year. Gary Cecil, a first-generation farmer and owner of Cecil Farms Produce in Daviess County, said the rising fuel costs are making it challenging for him to maintain his farm's operations.

Cecil uses nine to ten tanker loads of diesel each year, which is used to run tractors, field equipment, and a fertilizer-spreader business. The current price of diesel has set records, with the U.S. average at $6.05 per gallon as of September 11, 2026, up from $3.70 a year earlier.

Taylor Thompson, commodity marketing specialist for the Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation, said the high fuel costs are not limited to farm operations but also affect grain prices and logistics. He attributed the price spike to conflicts overseas and supply chains that cross borders.

Cecil expressed concerns about the long-term implications of high diesel prices on his farm's viability. He worries that younger people may be discouraged from entering the farming industry if they cannot make a living due to increasing costs.