Trump Administration Weighs Diesel Export Ban

Record-high diesel prices are pressuring farmers heading into harvest, and the Trump administration is considering whether restricting diesel exports could provide relief. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says officials are examining whether a full or partial export ban is feasible. Reuters added that President Donald Trump has called for stopping some diesel exports. AAA data put the national average diesel price at more than six dollars and fifty cents a gallon this week, up sharply from a year ago. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley and Representative Ashley Hinson are among lawmakers calling for an export ban, saying high fuel costs are hurting farmers.  But energy analysts warn the impact may not last. They say limiting exports could cause refiners to cut production, potentially tightening supplies and pushing prices higher later. The American Petroleum Institute also opposes an export ban. The Institute said restricting diesel exports would wreak havoc on markets at home and abroad. 

High Diesel Prices Could Persist Into 2027

Farmers could be facing elevated diesel prices well into 2027, adding another challenge for producers already struggling with tight margins. Gregg Ibendahl (EYE-ben-dahl), a farm management specialist with Kansas State University Extension, says soaring crude oil prices, limited refining capacity, and disruptions to global fuel supplies are keeping diesel prices high. He says international conflicts could keep prices in the six-to-seven-dollar-per-gallon range through next year or longer. Ibendahl says resolving global tensions and restoring normal international fuel shipments would be the most effective way to address pump prices. The Kansas Reflector said even under a best-case scenario, it could take months for markets to adjust. “Even in a best-case scenario, where the war in Ukraine winds down quickly, and shipments through the Gulf normalize, it could easily take six months for the market to adjust,” Ibendahl said. He said returning to earlier price levels could take up to two years.

ASTA Reminds Farmers About Treated Seed Safety During Harvest

As harvest gets underway across the country, the American Seed Trade Association is reminding farmers to take precautions to keep treated seed out of the grain supply. Seed treatments help protect seeds and seedlings from early-season insects and diseases, supporting stronger stands, healthier plants, and improved yields. But ASTA says proper handling is important throughout the seed’s life cycle, including removing treated seed from containers and equipment used to handle harvested grain. Andy LaVigne (lah-VEEN), ASTA president and CEO, says treated seed can be an important investment in crop production when handled responsibly. “Strong harvests are built long before the combine ever enters the field,” LaVigne said. “When used and handled responsibly, treated seeds are one of the most effective, economical tools a farmer has to protect yield from the ground up.” ASTA and other groups offer educational resources covering the treatment, handling, transportation, and planting of treated seed.

Ethanol Production Falls To Four-Month Low

U.S. ethanol production fell sharply last week, while inventories also tightened, according to Energy Information Administration data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association. For the week ending September 18, ethanol production dropped 6.5 percent to 1.03 million barrels per day, or about 43.2 million gallons daily. That was the lowest weekly production rate since early May, although output remained slightly above year-ago levels and 7.2 percent above the five-year average. Ethanol stocks declined 2.1 percent to 24.7 million barrels, their lowest level in seven weeks. Inventories remained above both last year and the five-year average. Gasoline supplied to the U.S. market edged higher but remained below year-ago and five-year-average levels. Meanwhile, ethanol exports fell 24.2 percent to 122,000 barrels per day. Refiner and blender ethanol inputs also declined, reaching their lowest level in ten weeks.

Airbnb Offers Grants To Help Farmers Expand Into Agritourism

Farmers interested in agritourism will have a new source of financial assistance through a partnership between Airbnb and American Farmland Trust. The groups are launching a grant program designed to help farmers prepare their properties for overnight guests or launch agritourism experiences. Grants will range up to $10,000 and are available to farmers across the country. Eligible projects could include renovating farm properties for guests or developing activities such as apple picking, wine tasting, farm-to-table dinners, and agricultural workshops. Airbnb and American Farmland Trust will also offer webinars covering how farmers can create listings or experiences, welcome their first guests, and build a long-term agritourism business. Airbnb says the additional income can help farmers remain on their land during difficult seasons. The partnership comes as farmers face rising input costs, unpredictable weather, and volatile commodity markets, creating greater interest in alternative sources of farm income.

Compeer Financial Awards $446,000 In Ag Education Grants

Nearly 70 middle and high schools across the Midwest are receiving more than $446,000 in grants from Compeer Financial to strengthen agricultural education programs. The Next A.C.R.E. grants awarded up to $7,500 to each recipient, with 21 schools in Illinois, 21 in Minnesota, and 27 in Wisconsin receiving funding. The money will support equipment, resources, and improvements for hands-on learning, including greenhouses, shops, and livestock barns. Several schools also plan to add emerging technologies like virtual welding, CNC plasma equipment, precision ag sensors, and veterinary and livestock simulators. Karen Schieler, manager of Compeer Giving at Compeer Financial, says keeping agricultural education current is important as technology continues to reshape the industry. “We hope this funding inspires students to pursue a career in agriculture where they can make a lasting impact on their local communities and the world,” Schieler said. Compeer Financial plans to offer the Next A.C.R.E. grant program again in 2027.

Belarus Potash Proposal Raises Questions About Supply And Cost

The Trump administration’s proposal to purchase potash from Belarus (BELL-ah-roos) is raising questions about the cost and logistics of supplying U.S. farmers. President Donald Trump said Monday the United States is working on a “massive deal” to buy Belarusian potash at a price substantially below what the U.S. currently pays Canada. Canada supplies roughly 80 percent of U.S. potash imports. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe questioned whether Belarusian potash could actually be cheaper, noting Belarus is landlocked, and shipments would need to move through Russia before reaching the United States. Belarus has also faced sanctions and lost its main export route through Lithuania, adding to transportation challenges. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (loo-kah-SHEN-koh) has said his country resumed potash sales to the United States after Washington eased sanctions on Belarusian producers. However, it remains unclear how significantly Belarus could increase shipments to the U.S. For farmers, the proposal could provide another potential source of a key fertilizer nutrient.