Farm Bureau Praises EPA’s Revised Diesel Exhaust Fluid Guidelines
In a major win for farmers and transporters across the country, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced revisions to Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) guidelines for manufacturers of heavy trucks and off-road equipment. The move is being widely praised by the agricultural community, including the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), which has long called for practical reforms in emissions-related regulations.
American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall commented on the EPA’s announcement that it will revise Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) guidelines for manufacturers of heavy trucks and off-road equipment. Manufacturers will be directed to update the software in equipment that uses DEF to prevent them from losing power.
“Farm Bureau thanks the EPA and Administrator Zeldin for their common-sense approach to heavy trucks and off-road equipment that uses Diesel Exhaust Fluid,” Duvall said. “When a vehicle runs out of DEF or there is an error in the software, it loses power, causing delays that could be the difference between getting a crop harvested or animals to their destination.”
The software update requirement is part of the EPA’s broader effort to ensure emissions compliance without compromising vehicle performance. For years, farmers and haulers have struggled with equipment losing power due to DEF-related errors, especially during peak planting or harvesting seasons.
Duvall also praised the EPA’s decision to include a grace period, allowing time for repairs or DEF refills before power is reduced.
He also said the agency’s decision to grant a grace period to make repairs or refill DEF is the right thing to do, which keeps farmers in the field and commerce moving.
Since 2010, DEF has been used in diesel trucks and tractors to reduce nitrous oxide emissions under EPA regulations. While successful in cutting harmful pollutants, the rigid enforcement mechanisms have led to unintended setbacks in rural operations.
The new EPA guidelines represent a shift toward smarter, more flexible regulation—something agricultural advocates say is crucial for balancing environmental protection with on-the-ground realities in farming and logistics.