"Diesel is our main fuel; we run two tractors and machinery. Each month we use 900 litres of diesel and 200-300 litres of petrol. We've just used up last month's diesel and we've been paying about NZ$1.85 a litre. Diesel is up $1.03 per litre and petrol up 33c per litre, leading to an increase of $1,252 a month, or $15,024 a year."
"As a farmer, you have nobody to pass that cost on to. That might mean we're not investing in the farm, or we have to put off, or delay, maintenance costs. We're trying to run as efficiently as we can; we're not just using equipment and burning fuel for the sake of it."
A small dairy farm north of Auckland milks 200 cows and faces rising fuel costs, with diesel prices increasing by NZ$1.03 per litre and petrol by 33c. Monthly fuel expenses have risen by $1,252, totaling $15,024 annually. The increase affects not only the farm's operations but also contractors and fertilizer costs, which have risen by 40%. Farmers cannot pass these costs onto consumers, leading to potential delays in investments and maintenance. Essential activities like feeding cows and harvesting feed continue despite financial pressures.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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