Diesel Prices Reach Record High Amid Farmer Financial Struggles

The price of diesel fuel in the US has hit record highs, reaching an average of $6.05 per gallon on Friday, according to AAA.

This surge is particularly problematic for farmers who rely on diesel to power their combines, tractors, and other equipment for harvesting soybeans and corn, two of the nation's largest commodities.

Farmers like Jason Kurtz, a 49-year-old corn and soybean farmer from Missouri, are feeling the pinch. He expects to use 200 gallons of diesel per day for his combine alone, which will run for 30 days.

Kurtz is not alone in his struggles. Many farmers are facing higher costs for fertilizer, seeds, and equipment on top of the rising diesel prices, which have increased by 60% since late February when the US and Israel launched their war against Iran.