Diesel Prices Reach Record Highs, Clobbering US Farmers
The price of diesel fuel in the US has reached record highs at an inopportune time for many farmers. The spike adds to an already challenging year, with farmers facing higher costs for fertilizer, seeds, and equipment.
Diesel prices hit a record high on September 4th, averaging $5.85 per gallon. Since then, the price has continued to rise, reaching an average of $6.05 per gallon as of Friday, according to AAA.
Farmers such as Jason Kurtz, who grows corn and soybeans near Forest City, Missouri, are particularly affected by the high prices. 'Those prices hurt,' said Paul Mitchell, a professor of agricultural and applied economics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Kurtz pays twice as much for diesel this year compared to last year. His combine uses 200 gallons of fuel per day, and he expects to run it for 30 days. He also needs diesel for his tractor and trucks.