Montana is a major dryland wheat, barley, and pulse crop state with the Hi-Line wheat belt and Yellowstone Valley supporting large-scale grain production. Diesel Fuel (Farm) is currently priced at $4.08–$4.56/gallon in Montana markets as of spring 2026, reflecting Pacific Northwest supply chain conditions.
| Benchmark | Price | vs. 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| NOLA barge (national reference) | $3.40–$3.80/gallon | +15–25% |
| Montana co-op / distributor | $4.08–$4.56/gallon | +35–45% |
| Montana retail delivered | $4.18–$4.67/gallon | +37–47% |
Diesel is near the midpoint of the 2-year range. Pre-buy on co-op fall discounts, but large forwards are not justified at current prices.
Montana depends on Pacific Northwest rail terminals and Canadian potash; fertilizer premiums run 15–22% over NOLA, some of the highest in the lower 48.
| Driver | Impact |
|---|---|
| Crude oil prices | WTI crude is the primary cost driver; farm diesel tracks crude with a 6–8 week lag. |
| Refinery capacity | U.S. refinery utilization affects the diesel crack spread independent of crude prices. |
| Seasonal demand | Spring planting and fall harvest create regional price spikes of 5–10 cents per gallon. |
| Off-road vs. on-road | Dyed off-road diesel runs $0.10–$0.20/gallon below on-road retail; use where legal. |
Montana farmers typically source Diesel Fuel (Farm) through regional co-operatives, independent retailers, and direct distributor contracts. The most effective strategy in Pacific Northwest markets is to compare co-op pre-pay pricing versus spot retail, as pre-pay discounts of 5–12% are standard for early fall bookings.
As of spring 2026, Diesel Fuel (Farm) in Montana is priced at approximately $4.08–$4.56/gallon. Prices vary by county, co-op, and contract type. GrainBrief tracks weekly USDA AMS price reports and sends price alerts when signals change.
Montana sits in the Pacific Northwest supply zone. Montana depends on Pacific Northwest rail terminals and Canadian potash. Premiums over NOLA benchmarks typically run 20–28% depending on season and logistics conditions.
Historically, fall pre-buy programs (August–October) offer the best pricing for the following spring application season. In-season spot prices during March–June carry a 5–15% logistics premium. GrainBrief's weekly signal tells you exactly when to act.
GrainBrief tracks USDA AMS, FRED, and EIA data weekly and sends you a buy, hold, or negotiate signal. Stop guessing. Start buying on data.
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