Kentucky farmers and truckers will be allowed to use untaxed, red-dyed diesel on public roads under an emergency order from Gov. Andy Beshear, a move intended to ease fuel costs during the fall harvest. The declaration takes effect Thursday, Oct. 8. Beshear’s office said the authorization will remain in place until the war in Iran ends or President Donald Trump’s executive order deferring federal fuel taxes expires on Dec. 31, 2026, whichever happens first. The action followed a request from Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell, who said many Kentucky farmers already have red-dyed diesel stored on their farms and could put it to use immediately. Shell also noted that officials still need to resolve how to handle dyed fuel remaining in tanks if restrictions return after the federal order expires. Red-dyed diesel is ordinarily used off public roads and is not subject to the same taxes as regular road diesel. The temporary change allows farmers and truckers to use those existing supplies for road travel during the harvest period. Beshear said fuel costs have risen in recent months and blamed the increases on the president’s policies. In a statement, he called the Iran conflict and tariffs contributors to higher prices and said his administration had taken steps including suspending a scheduled gas-tax increase. Fuel prices have also been affected by global conflicts and concerns about oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for supplies. The emergency measure offers Kentucky agricultural operators temporary access to lower-tax fuel as they move crops and equipment during a costly part of the growing season.