BATON ROUGE — Louisiana farmers are getting temporary relief from state penalties on dyed diesel as harvest season gets underway.

Diesel prices are averaging about $6 a gallon in Louisiana, adding to the cost of moving crops and agricultural products from fields to processing facilities.

Gov. Jeff Landry says rising wages and increased economic activity are putting additional financial pressure on the state's agricultural industry.

“As Louisiana sees unbelievable economic opportunity that is happening today, what that means is now our people are having more opportunities to lift themselves into higher-wage jobs,” Landry said. “That puts additional pressure on the farm.”

Under an executive order issued by Landry, qualifying farm and forestry vehicles can temporarily use dyed, off-road diesel during harvest without facing the state's usual penalty.

The waiver applies to farm trucks, grain trucks, logging trucks, livestock trailers and tankers transporting milk, as well as vehicles hauling forestry products.

Farmers already use dyed diesel for off-road equipment such as tractors and pumps. The temporary change allows qualifying vehicles to use the same fuel during harvest through Oct. 22.

The relief could be especially significant for Louisiana's sugarcane industry.

“This is especially important here in Louisiana, the nation's top sugarcane-producing state, the economic driver in many of our parishes here in Louisiana,” USDA Secretary Brooke L. Rollins said.

The American Sugar Cane League estimates the change could save Louisiana sugarcane farmers more than $8 million during the harvest season.