The Weekly Fill-Up | November 24-28

November 24, 2025

As eastern South Dakota turns the page from harvest into the full momentum of winter, energy markets tied to your operation are sending subtle but important signals. Whether you’re hauling grain, prepping equipment, or switching to heating mode, the moves you make now can influence cost and reliability for the season ahead.

Retail diesel in the U.S. has climbed steadily. According to the most recent data, the average price for on-highway diesel sits at about $3.87 per gallon, up roughly 8.5% compared with a year earlier. While that number may not feel dramatic week-to-week, the trend is clear: the market is no longer sliding down, and that shifts the strategy from “waiting” to “planning.” For producers and fleets in eastern South Dakota, this means now is a smart window to lock in fuel volumes or schedule delivery when logistics are still comparatively relaxed. As winter weather and road-transport risks increase, delivery premiums and margin squeezes can quickly upgrade from theoretical to real.

Turning to propane and heating-fuel outlooks, the data is encouraging but still demands attention. U.S. propane/propylene inventories recently hit a new record high at roughly 106 million barrels, signaling strong supply heading into winter. Price data for residential propane also shows stability, with average U.S. residential prices at about $2.46 per gallon this week, nearly unchanged from last week. But a healthy number of barrels in storage doesn’t guarantee smooth supply at the tank. In our region, farmers drying grain, heating shops, or supporting livestock operations know that delivery timing, tank capacity, and local distribution logistics matter just as much as national totals. The key takeaway: with inventories strong, this is the moment to secure your fill-up and lock in terms rather than wait for urgency to kick in.

On the maintenance front, lubricants, hydraulic oils, greases, and filters are quietly entering the spotlight. With field work wrapping and winter servicing ahead, equipment will soon shift into longer idle periods, colder starts, and extended wear in low-temperature conditions. Supply chains for specialty oils and additives remain stretched in some rural markets, which means early ordering and stock management can avoid downtime and rush-premium costs later.

Finally, for operations that rely on Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF), the margin for error is narrowing. Though not as headline-grabbing as fuel or propane, DEF is essential for modern diesel fleets and must be treated with equal priority. With equipment use still elevated from end-season hauls and transitioning into winter service, ordering ahead, checking tank conditions (especially related to temperature), and aligning deliveries now helps avoid logistical hiccups when weather tightens.

In sum, this week offers a strategic cusp: diesel is firming, propane supply is sound, maintenance inputs require scheduling, and DEF logistics matter. For Sioux Valley Coop patrons, the cooperative advantage remains strong—combining local delivery, agrarian timing, and purchasing power to keep operations “Powered Locally.” Acting now with intention rather than reacting under pressure later can save cost, stress, and downtime. Let’s carry momentum forward into winter.

Sources

U.S. Retail Diesel Price (YCharts) — November 10, 2025 data.
U.S. On-Highway Diesel Fuel Prices — Energy Information Administration (EIA) “Gasoline & Diesel Fuel Update.”
U.S. Propane/Propylene Stocks — EIA weekly data.
Propane Market Trends & Supply Outlook — LPGas Magazine.
U.S. Residential Propane Price Data — YCharts.