Since last century, modern agriculture has depended on fossil fuels. New Zealand is one of the three countries with the highest energy input per unit (in agriculture) in the world. Furthermore, in terms of shipping, the influence of increasing fuel costs in the world is greater on New Zealand farming than in other countries. This study examined fuel consumption in wheat production in New Zealand (Canterbury area). Fuel consumption in wheat production was analyzed based on the operational fuel consumption by field machinery. Total fuel consumption in wheat production was estimated at 65.3 I/ha. On average fuel consumption in tillage and harvesting are more than in other operations with 29.6 I/ha (45%) and 18 I/ha (28%), respectively. The fuel consumption in wheat production in irrigated and dry land farming was estimated at 64.9 and 66 I/ha, respectively. Significant correlation between fuel consumption and some direct and indirect factors such as farmers' education and number of passes of cultivator have been found. These relationships may help find ways to reduce fuel use on farms with minimum income loss for farmers. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.