Welch Shares New Data on Rising Farm Fuel Prices Under Trump; Vermont Farmers Paying $1,479 More on Average to Refill Fuel Tank

WASHINGTON, D.C. — New data shared by U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, shows Vermont farmers have been forced to spend at least $1,479 more to fill their farm fuel tank because of the escalating war in the Middle East. 

“Rural Vermont is paying for President Trump’s war with Iran—from climbing farm fuel

and fertilizer costs to rising inflation. This administration needs to get serious about lowering costs for farmers in Vermont and across the country—they can’t afford any more of the Trump Administration’s reckless agenda,” said Senator Welch.  

Democrats on the Joint Economic Committee, under the leadership of Ranking Member Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), released the state-by-state data, which outlines the increase in cost to fill up a typical farm fuel tank, the increase in cost to fill up a typical grain truck, and the increase in cost to fill up a typical tractor. Democrats on the Joint Economic Committee found:  

• A $1.4 billion increase in diesel costs – a 63% jump – this spring nationwide for farmers to plant key crops: corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, and rice 

• The average farmer spent as much as $1,500 more to refill their farm’s onsite fuel tank compared to the same high point during the 2025 planting season 

View more from the Joint Economic Committee here and below: 

State	Increase in Cost to Fill Up Typical Farm Fuel Tank	Increase in Cost to Fill Up Typical Grain Truck	Increase in Cost to Fill Up Typical Tractor
Alabama	+$1,533	+$204	+$249
Alaska	+$1,694	+$226	+$275
Arizona	+$1,783	+$238	+$290
Arkansas	+$1,436	+$191	+$234
California	+$2,037	+$272	+$331
Colorado	+$1,680	+$224	+$273
Connecticut	+$1,474	+$197	+$240
Delaware	+$1,710	+$228	+$278
Florida	+$1,598	+$213	+$260
Georgia	+$1,338	+$178	+$218
Idaho	+$1,498	+$200	+$244
Illinois	+$1,785	+$238	+$290
Indiana	+$1,804	+$241	+$294
Iowa	+$1,530	+$204	+$249
Kansas	+$1,440	+$192	+$234
Kentucky	+$1,460	+$195	+$237
Louisiana	+$1,502	+$200	+$244
Maine	+$1,476	+$197	+$240
Maryland	+$1,702	+$227	+$277
Massachusetts	+$1,459	+$195	+$237
Michigan	+$1,850	+$247	+$301
Minnesota	+$1,497	+$200	+$243
Mississippi	+$1,484	+$198	+$241
Missouri	+$1,506	+$201	+$245
Montana	+$1,564	+$208	+$254
Nebraska	+$1,431	+$191	+$233
Nevada	+$1,794	+$239	+$292
New Hampshire	+$1,455	+$194	+$237
New Jersey	+$1,632	+$218	+$265
New Mexico	+$1,541	+$205	+$251
New York	+$1,494	+$199	+$243
North Carolina	+$1,601	+$213	+$260
North Dakota	+$1,465	+$195	+$238
Ohio	+$1,815	+$242	+$295
Oklahoma	+$1,426	+$190	+$232
Oregon	+$1,731	+$231	+$282
Pennsylvania	+$1,592	+$212	+$259
Rhode Island	+$1,520	+$203	+$247
South Carolina	+$1,540	+$205	+$250
South Dakota	+$1,480	+$197	+$241
Tennessee	+$1,517	+$202	+$247
Texas	+$1,556	+$207	+$253
Utah	+$1,537	+$205	+$250
Vermont	+$1,479	+$197	+$241
Virginia	+$1,514	+$202	+$246
Washington	+$1,878	+$250	+$306
West Virginia	+$1,518	+$202	+$247
Wisconsin	+$1,772	+$236	+$288
Wyoming	+$1,528	+$204	+$249
United States	+$1,538	+$205	+$250

The war in Iran and closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted the supply chain for fertilizer trade, further hurting farmers in America. A nationwide poll conducted by the American Farm Bureau in April found 70% of farmers polled said fertilizer was so expensive they wouldn’t be able to buy the fertilizer needed for the spring planting season.