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Spiking fuel costs being felt on the farm

Farmers preparing for spring planting are facing some of the highest fuel costs they’ve seen in years. 

Central Illinois farmer Darren Davis says fuel price spikes caused by the conflict in the Middle East are being felt on the farm.

“The way things have been going the last few weeks are concerning to most farmers.”  He says, “Get your fuel booked. If you had it booked a couple months ago, it would have helped.”

Illinois Farm Bureau President Phillip Nelson, who farms in northern Illinois, tells Brownfield, “I’m going to be going to D.C. this weekend.”  He says, “It’s a big concern, top of mind. We’re going to be meeting with Brooke Rollins to see if there are things that the administration can do to try to soften that blow.”

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker says his state has taken measures in the past to bring down fuel costs, but those avenues haven’t been explored yet.

“When we had very high inflation a few years ago, the legislature and I were able to suspend the gas tax in the state for a period of time,” he says.

Diesel prices have increased nearly 40% since the conflict began, and gas prices on average have risen a dollar per gallon in the past month. 

Brownfield spoke with all three at the Illinois Agriculture Legislative Day at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield.

AUDIO: Phillip Nelson – Illinois Farm Bureau