MN Executive Order Extending Hours of Service For Fuel Truckers

Have you talked with your suppliers and maybe booked your diesel fuel and propane for this fall? If not maybe you should talk with them soon, not only because costs have been increasing but also supplies are tight? I was quite surprised when I received a new release from Minnesota Governor Walz's office about "an executive order lifting hours of service regulations for motor carriers and drivers transporting fuel in Minnesota."

I knew the price of diesel fuel and propane had been increasing, but I was not aware of shortages? "Fuel terminals across the state, including those at Mankato, Marshall, Sauk Center, Alexandria, St. Paul, Wrenshall and East Grand Forks, have experienced shortages or outages of gasoline, diesel, fuel oil, ethanol and biodiesel." That quote did not include propane but the corn drying season is approaching not to mention winter!

If we are seeing diesel fuel shortages at this time of the year what will it be like during harvest this fall? Be sure to talk with your fuel supplier and make sure your fuel and propane tanks have been topped off. I know some farmers in recent years have added more tanks to store diesel on their farms too.