Harvest is already one of the most expensive times of the year for Iowa farmers. Now, with diesel averaging more than $6 a gallon in Iowa, every trip across the field and every load of grain hauled to the elevator costs more.
What’s new: Last night, President Trump signed an executive order allowing tax-free dyed diesel to be used on the road and providing temporary federal tax relief through the end of the year. This morning, Governor Reynolds did the same in Iowa. Together, the two orders can save Iowa farmers up to 57 cents a gallon.
This is a good first step to give farmers some breathing room during harvest. But temporary relief won’t bring diesel prices down for the long haul. That’s why I’m pushing an Iowa energy plan that puts American farmers and families first:
🇺🇸 Keep American energy here at home. We shouldn’t be shipping near-record amounts of American diesel overseas while farmers here at home are paying more than $6 a gallon.
🌽 Pass my Iowa-led biofuels bill into law. The Senate needs to pass our plan to make lower-cost E15 available nationwide year-round, giving families another affordable choice at the pump while creating more demand for Iowa corn.
⛽ Protect Iowans from unfair prices at the pump. When global instability drives prices higher, oil companies shouldn’t be able to take advantage of the situation to pad their profits at the expense of farmers and families.
Why it matters: High diesel prices hit more than the farm. They increase the cost of harvesting crops, hauling grain, and moving goods across the country — costs that ultimately get passed along to families.
Bottom Line: Temporary relief will help farmers get through harvest, but we need to bring fuel costs down for good. I’ll keep fighting to keep more American energy here at home, expand Iowa biofuels, and lower prices at the pump.