JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe signed an executive order Wednesday providing input-cost relief and added flexibility for farmers during the fall harvest season.
The 30-day waiver declares a state of emergency and allows farmers and haulers operating commercial vehicles licensed for farm use to use dyed diesel fuel on state highways. The order also temporarily increases the allowable weight cap for eligible agricultural loads to 90,000 pounds.
The exemption applies to shipments of livestock, grain, timber and other seasonally harvested agricultural products transported from the field to storage, market or stockpile locations, or from farm storage to market. The regulatory relief is intended to provide Missouri farmers with additional flexibility as they manage high diesel costs.
“Missouri farmers are dealing with higher costs at nearly every turn, and diesel is a major expense for getting crops harvested and transported,” said Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins. “This temporary flexibility gives farmers another tool to help manage those costs and keep moving the products that feed and fuel our state and our nation. We appreciate Gov. Kehoe recognizing the challenges farmers are facing and taking action to provide some relief.”
The executive order is effective through Oct. 30, 2026.
Red-dyed diesel, commonly known as farm diesel, is sold without a motor-fuel tax because it is primarily used in off-road agricultural equipment such as tractors and combines. The executive order applies only to Missouri state highways and local roads. It does not waive federal restrictions on dyed diesel fuel or authorize its use on interstate highways or U.S. highways subject to federal regulations.
Read the full executive order here: Governor’s Executive Order 26-19.
