UW Extension Regional Dairy Educator Aerica Bjurstrom says you can add diesel prices to the common farming conversation of “expect the unexpected.” Diesel prices hit an all-time high Tuesday at $6.10 per gallon, which is 84 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and $2.65 per gallon higher than a year ago.
Conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, paired with high demand, are causing sticker shock at the pump. For Wisconsin farmers, there is not much they can do because now is the time for corn to come off, cover crops to go on, and manure to be spread. All of that equipment uses diesel fuel — and a lot of it.
Bjurstrom says many farmers bought their diesel fuel ahead of time, either storing it on-site or contracting for delivery at a lower price. She adds that there are some things farmers can do to stretch their fuel supply and avoid more pain at the pump.
Regular gasoline prices have also seen better days, with the average price in the Green Bay metro area sitting at $4.15 per gallon. That is 24 cents per gallon more than a month ago and $1.29 per gallon more than a year ago.
