Indiana Farmers Get Relief from High Fuel Costs with Tax-Free Diesel

Indiana farmers are set to receive some relief from high fuel costs after Governor Mike Braun announced that they can burn tax-free diesel fuel in semi-trucks hauling grain during the fall harvest. The decision aims to offset the record cost of filling up their tanks, which has been driven up by factors such as the president's tariffs on foreign products.

The average price for regular diesel fuel in Indiana in late September was close to $7 per gallon, according to AAA. This means that farmers can expect to save 64 cents per gallon until they're finished harvesting. The savings may not be huge, but every little bit counts, as noted by corn and soybean grower Matt Schafer.

The move came at the request of State Representative Jim Pressel, whose petition signed by over 50 other state lawmakers was presented to the governor just one day before he acted. The idea stemmed from a conversation Pressel had with a farmer about high diesel fuel prices during an annual meeting of the La Porte County branch of Indiana Farm Bureau.

Farmers like Mark Parkman of Westville are expected to benefit from the savings, as they have been negatively impacted by a challenging growing season due to weather extremes. While corn and soybean prices are up between one and two dollars per bushel over last year at this time, farmers will likely experience somewhat lower yields.