(ID 161530205 © Robert Philip | Dreamstime.com)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Gas Prices

Farmers getting hit hard by “insane” gas prices

Jun 2, 2022 | 5:00 PM

Filling up at the pumps right now is a struggle for just about everybody but it’s hard to compare with what farmers are currently dealing with.

Gas prices, as of Thursday, were closing in on $2 per litre, currently sitting around 1.96 per litre.

This means a driver who has a vehicle with a gas tank that can hold around 45 litres will have to pay close to $90 to fill it up. According to farmer Bob Reid, he’s paying around $2,300 nearly every two days to fill just one tractor.

“If grain prices weren’t the way they are… I would not burn one gallon of fuel.”

Reid could only describe the situation as “insane” noting he’s never seen it this bad before.

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A lot of farmers’ anxiety may actually be about the fall.

Terry Oleksyn, a partner with Oleksyn Brothers, said they’ve had a tough time filling contracts for the harvest season as many are worried prices will continue to rise.

He believes many producers are really contemplating reducing the number of crops they seed just so they don’t have to pay as much in gas.

“It affects your calculations of crops going in the ground just because of all the risk.”

His company, fortunately, hasn’t been hit as hard as others. They’ve seen an increase, though they do get tax reductions since they are primary producers.

Meanwhile, Reid noted he’s lucky enough his company can withstand these high prices.

However, he understands not every can and he’s worried for those who are having a tough time affording the basic necessities of life.

“It’s everyday living, rent, prices for groceries, this, that, and everything else.”

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow