Diesel Prices Soar to Record Highs as US Farmers Suffer
US farmers are facing another challenge this year as diesel prices hit record highs. According to AAA, the national average price of diesel reached $5.85 per gallon on September 4 and has continued to rise, reaching an average of $6.05 per gallon by Friday.
The high fuel costs come at a bad time for farmers who already face higher expenses for fertilizer, seeds, and equipment. Professor Paul Mitchell from the University of Wisconsin-Madison noted that diesel prices hurt not just harvesting but also hauling grain or silage from the field to market.
Jason Kurtz, a corn and soybean farmer near Forest City, Missouri, said he was paying twice as much for diesel this year compared to last year. He estimated that his combine uses 200 gallons of fuel per day for 30 days, which adds significantly to his expenses.
Kurtz's finances are already tight due to increased costs for fertilizer and chemicals, and the high diesel prices make it even harder for him to stay afloat. American diesel prices have risen by 60% since the US and Israel launched their war against Iran in late February.