Record Diesel Prices Wreak Havoc on US Farmers

US diesel prices have hit record highs at an inopportune time for farmers, who are already struggling with increased costs for fertilizer, seeds, and equipment. The national average price of diesel reached $5.85 per gallon on September 4, the highest ever recorded, according to AAA.

The war between the US and Iran has disrupted global fuel supplies, causing crude oil prices to skyrocket and pushing diesel costs even higher. As a result, American farmers are facing significant financial burdens as they prepare for the harvest season.

Jason Kurtz, a corn and soybean farmer from Missouri, said he is paying twice as much for diesel this year compared to previous years. He uses 200 gallons of fuel per day in his combine alone, which will run for 30 days during the harvest season.

Professor Paul Mitchell of the University of Wisconsin-Madison warned that high diesel prices will not only hurt farmers' bottom lines but also make it difficult for them to transport their crops to market. 'Farms that are cash-strapped will have to figure out what to cut to make this work,' he said.