Press Release

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. ###