Price increases hurt farmers

TYLER – High diesel fuel prices are having a major impact on East Texas farmers and ranchers who say they are using less fertilizer to cut down on costs.

It’s been five months since the start of the conflict with Iran, which triggered an almost immediate increase in fuel prices. According to our news partner KETK, those in the East Texas agriculture industry said conditions have not improved. Darren Rozell owner of Rozell Sprayer Manufacturing in Tyler said some of his customers are having to cut down on the supplies they need.

“We’re seeing people just not putting as much out instead of putting 400 pounds per acre, they can’t afford it and it doesn’t pencil out, they are running 200 pounds per acre,” Rozell said.

Other people in the business are turning to alternative methods just to stay afloat.

“There’s a lot of people looking at different avenues instead of just putting out the traditional fertilizer they’re looking at foliar feeds,” Rozell said.
Similar stories can be heard across the Lone Star State with Texas Farm Bureau Director of Communications Gary Joiner saying high diesel fuel prices impact the shipping costs of farming supplies and turn day-to-day operations into a major expense.

“In some cases, the diesel needed for that combine has to roll and they’re spending upwards of 2,000 dollars a day to harvest that crop,” Joiner said.

If prices continue to rise, some farmers and ranchers will be lucky if they break even.

“Cost of production that in many cases are higher than what they will receive for the value of their crop,” Joiner said.

For now, Rozell hopes his fellow ranchers can hang in there.

“It’s going to take time and it’s going to have to get better,” Rozell said.