Many farmers across the area have started planting this year’s crop but the cost of fuel and other products like fertilizer is having an impact.
While weather is often top of mind for farmers during planting season. This year rising costs with fuel, fertilizer, and other chemicals are providing additional challenges.
The war in Iran continues to set new records on diesel prices in Indiana.
“Oh there’s $1000, $2000, $3000 it seems like an auctioneer when you’re filling the planter up you know it’s 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 you know it’s like oh my gosh,” said Clay Geyer, Bremen Farmer.
Over the last week or so, many farmers have started to fire up their tractors preparing to get corn and soybean seed in the ground.
The added costs to just plant this season are putting additional stress on the job.
“There’s a lot of farmers my size you know, 250-300 acres and they’re thinking maybe it’s time to go get an off-farm job just to keep food on the table,” said Geyer.
Diesel prices according to Triple A set a new record on Wednesday, for the highest recorded average price in Indiana at $6.13.
Tractor fuel tanks vary based on the size of the machine. Some hold around 150 gallons and others have a capacity of over 500.
“Depending on the tank capacity. I just had, we have some older tractors still use gasoline like a lot of your lawn tractors and 150 gallons was almost $900 and it was like okay that’s enough of that we don’t need any more of that, but some of your newer tractors just to give a day to get through a day it can easily cost $1000 just to fill the tank up,” said Geyer.
While these costs are affecting farmers now, consumers may also begin to feel the impact soon.
“Grocery prices people, they, know it’s already high but I don’t think you’ve seen anything yet because it has to trickle down for the trucking and stuff so it’s not going to be great so, just got to work through it,” said Geyer. “It’s a very stressful time I know a lot of farmers myself that are struggling. They’ll do anything but they don’t lose the farm so we kind of all work together to help one another out,” said Geyer.
Some farmers have been making cuts in other ways, including using less commercial fertilizer and diversifying their operations with other crops or animals.
Source: WSBT South Bend
