Govenor. Jeff Landry has declared a state of emergency in response to record-high diesel prices during Louisiana’s peak harvest season.

The temporary order allows certain farmers and timber harvesters to use dyed off-road diesel in eligible highway vehicles without facing state penalties. The relief applies specifically to vehicles registered as Class 5 Farm Use or Class 2 Forest Products.

That means eligible farm trucks and vehicles used to haul forest products may use dyed diesel through October 22. The order does not apply to all drivers or every farm-related vehicle.

Dyed diesel is normally reserved for off-road equipment such as tractors, skidders and irrigation pumps and is not typically allowed in licensed highway vehicles. The emergency action is intended to provide temporary relief as farmers and timber producers face sharply higher fuel costs during harvest season.

Landry’s order also directs the Louisiana Department of Revenue to seek federal penalty relief related to the temporary use of dyed diesel.