Governor Jeff Landry Declares Emergency, Allows Farmers and Loggers to Use Cheaper Off-Road, Dyed Diesel on Louisiana Roadways
By Avery J. Davidson
Louisiana Farm Bureau News
Farmers and loggers are getting much needed help from Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as harvest is underway across Louisiana.
Governor Landry signed an executive order declaring an emergency due to the shortage and high cost of diesel fuel. Diesel fuel is selling for an all-time high in Louisiana of $6.03 per gallon according to officials in the governor’s office. That executive order is effective today, Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
Under his emergency authority, Governor Landry is suspending the penalty for using nontaxable, dyed off-road diesel fuel in “Farm Use” or “Forest Products” vehicles. Farmers and foresters pay approximately 44 cents per gallon less for off-road diesel fuel because federal and state taxes are not applied.
“Louisiana farmers and timber harvesters maintain on-farm and on-site storage of dyed diesel fuel for nontaxable off-road use,” Governor Landry states in the order. “Allowing that fuel to be used in highway vehicles engaged in agricultural and timber harvesting operations will make fuel immediately available to those operations.”
Louisiana Farm Bureau President Richard Fontenot praised Governor Landry for taking action to help farmers at this critical time.
“Thank you, Governor Landry, for seeing the importance of agriculture to the state’s economy and taking decisive action to provide immediate relief to farmers who are spending more of their hard-earned money than ever to get their crops to market,” Fontenot said. “This provides some cushion to farmers who were struggling to make ends meet before the rise in diesel prices.”
According to Governor Landry’s executive order, the retail price of diesel is 113% higher than the price LSU AgCenter economists used to help farmers budget for harvest.
The Order also directs the Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Revenue, Jarrod J. Coniglio, to request federal penalty relief from the IRS by the end of the week.
Governor Landry’s order to suspend those penalties runs through October 22, 2026.