MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama farmers and timber operators are getting temporary relief as rising diesel fuel prices add to the cost of this year’s harvest season.
Governor Kay Ivey has directed the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) to temporarily halt enforcement related to the use of dyed diesel fuel for the next 120 days.
Dyed diesel is tax-exempt fuel generally designated for off-road equipment and machinery. The governor said the temporary enforcement change is intended to provide relief to Alabama’s agricultural and timber industries as they deal with higher diesel costs.
“The increase in diesel fuel prices has been particularly sharp relative to other fuel prices, directly affecting Alabama’s agricultural and timber industries,” Ivey wrote in a letter to ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor.
The change comes as Alabama farmers move through peak harvest season, which runs through November 15.
“As we are in the beginning of peak harvest season in Alabama, I am committed to doing what we can to support our state’s farmers and their families,” Ivey said. “When we can responsibly provide relief, I am all for it, and this is a measured, doable and commonsense action to help out Alabama’s agricultural and timber communities.”
ALEA’s enforcement changes took effect immediately and will remain in place for 120 days.
Taylor said the directive is designed to provide practical relief while ALEA continues its focus on roadway safety.
“Governor Ivey’s directive provides a practical and timely measure to support Alabama’s farmers and timber operators as they navigate the impact of increased fuel costs,” Taylor said. “These industries are vital to Alabama’s economy and to communities throughout our state.”
Ivey also directed Alabama Department of Revenue Commissioner Mary Martin Mitchell to request penalty relief related to dyed diesel fuel from the Internal Revenue Service.
The temporary action could be particularly significant for farmers during harvest, when combines, tractors, grain trucks and other equipment can require substantial amounts of diesel fuel as crops move from fields to storage and market.
For livestock and pork producers, higher diesel prices can also ripple through production costs, affecting feed transportation, manure handling, fieldwork and the movement of livestock and supplies.
The 120-day directive is aimed at easing some of those pressures as Alabama’s agricultural community works through the 2026 harvest season.
