Written on: February 13, 2023
For many people, February means Valentine’s Day. Or when pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training.
For farmers here in the Hudson Valley, February is a time of preparation for the coming growing season. Part of that preparation is planning the fueling of your farm’s vehicles, equipment, and outbuildings.
Mazzola Oil is here to help with our agricultural fuel delivery and services. We provide the personalized service that no big, national fuel company can match. Because we are locally based, we can be responsive and flexible in our agricultural services. Our vehicles are newer and well-maintained.
We start by going over your farm and how you use diesel and heating oil on it and craft a customized diesel and heating oil delivery plan with that information. We may also show ways in which diesel can be used to improve performance and productivity on your farm. Our pricing is competitive and transparent.
Diesel drives American agriculture. More than 75% of farm equipment in the United States runs on diesel, and more than 90% of U.S. agricultural products are transported to market in diesel-powered vehicles. Also, diesel powers about 20% of agricultural irrigation in the country.
Diesel can be used all over your farm. If you need crop-drying, you can use diesel fuels for fast, efficient grain drying that removes liquid that can create mold so you have a higher yield.
You can use diesel in your fields in many ways: tractors for plowing, machinery for harvesting, irrigation, weed and pest control, and more. Diesel vehicles such as trucks and vans provide reliable transportation for your farming business.
Heating oil can be used to heat barns, greenhouses, and other outbuildings as well as provide water heating. Diesel fuels can power standby generators that keep these buildings safe and warm if the power goes out.
Off-road diesel and on-road diesel are practically identical in all aspects, except for their designated purpose.
On-road diesel, which is used for commercial vehicles like buses, shuttles and trucks that drive on public roads, is subject to the federal excise tax.
Off-road diesel is a fuel specially designed to power heavy machinery such as construction equipment, farm vehicles and equipment, backhoes, and bulldozers. As this type of diesel isn’t used on public roads it is exempt from the excise tax; an advantageous bonus for those who use off-road diesel in their farms.
Off-road diesel is dyed red to discourage its use in regular vehicles and help drivers evade the excise tax. On-road diesel is not dyed. If caught using off-road diesel for vehicles driven on public roads, whether commercial or personal vehicles, penalties incur with each offense and are quite expensive. For example, in New York, the penalty for each offense is $10 per gallon or $1,000 per violation.
Mazzola Oil is the Hudson Valley’s leader for agricultural fuel delivery and service. Get in touch with us today to learn what we can do for your farm!