An Iowa farmer is sounding the alarm on the substantial impact of record-high diesel prices, which he says have added $75,000 to his monthly fuel expenses. Dan Pedersen, who operates a 10,000-acre farm and feedlot with 12,000 cattle in Underwood, Iowa, told KETV that the rising costs, linked to a conflict in the Middle East, are unsustainable.
"Another year of this and the economy and everything can’t handle this. I don’t think you can handle it two or three more months," Pedersen stated. His farm alone uses approximately 800 gallons of diesel daily, not including the costs for his trucks transporting livestock.
The average price for diesel reached a record $6.53 per gallon recently, a sharp increase from approximately $3.69 a year ago, according to AAA. This surge has led to a broader "national farm crisis," according to John Boyd Jr., founder and president of the National Black Farmers Association. Boyd told NPR that rising fuel costs are adding to the financial pressure on farmers, with over 400 Black farmers at risk of losing their operations.
In western New York, farmer Jack Klapper echoed these concerns to WHAM-TV, noting that harvest season requires constant tractor use regardless of fuel prices. "The crops are ready, they need to be harvested, the cows need to be fed every single day," Klapper said. "This operation doesn’t stop just because diesel prices rose another 25 cents. But it does have a major toll on how we operate our business."
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry recently declared a state of emergency to address the impact of record diesel prices on farmers and loggers, aiming to provide immediate relief. The global diesel shortage has prompted various responses as the agricultural sector grapples with the escalating costs.