Record Diesel Prices Worsen Tough Year for US Farmers
The record-high diesel prices in the US are hitting farmers hard, particularly those who rely on it to power their equipment for harvesting soybeans and corn. The national average price of diesel reached $5.85 a gallon on September 4, before increasing further to $6.05 a gallon by Friday, according to AAA.
Farmers like Jason Kurtz, who grows corn and soybeans near Forest City, Missouri, are feeling the pinch. He says he's paying twice as much for diesel this year compared to last, which is cutting into his profits. His combine uses 200 gallons of fuel a day, and he expects to run it for 30 days.
The high cost of diesel is just one of several challenges facing farmers this year. They've also had to deal with higher costs for fertilizer, seeds, and equipment, making their finances 'already tight.'