Diesel fuel has become the major fuel used in powering most medium and large tractors and harvesters. The trend of favoring diesel fuel over gasoline is associated with the relative fuel efficiency and technological advances in diesel-powered equipment that have increased energy efficiency. However, diesel fuel consumption has not increased largely because many farmers have adopted reduced tillage practices, and newer and larger tractors are more efficient. Liquid petroleum or LP gas is used primarily to dry crops, heat animal structures, and power irrigation pumps. LP gas consumption declined steadily throughout most of the 1980's but has remained relatively constant since 1989.
Natural gas is used mostly for powering irrigation pumps and crop drying.
The trend in natural gas consumption follows the same pattern as LP gas. Electricity is used primarily for powering motors, lighting and heating, and cooling livestock facilities. Electricity used in farm production has fluctuated up and down, showing no apparent trend since 1980. Expenditures for most farm inputs have an energy component. Energy is used to manufacture and transport seeds, feed, agricultural fertilizers and chemicals, machinery, and repair parts.