Oklahoma rancher cites record diesel costs as a threat to harvest profitability

Third-generation rancher Scott Belden, 55, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, is facing heightened financial pressure as diesel fuel prices have surged to an average of $6.32 per gallon, a rise of more than 65% since February. Belden, who runs a cattle operation and custom hay-harvesting service, estimates the fuel cost adds $1,000 to $1,400 to his weekly expenses, with his equipment consuming 90 to 100 gallons of diesel each day during harvest.

"It's probably the most stressful time in my life," Belden said, describing the combined strain of the harvest season and fuel costs.

He noted that the high price of diesel makes hay harvesting "absolutely unprofitable" and that he must continue buying fuel despite the expense.

"If I want to continue to operate, I'm going to buy diesel. No matter what the price is, I'm going to buy diesel," he said.

Belden, a three-time voter for President Donald Trump, expressed concern that the rising fuel costs could affect voters in the Midwest and criticized the administration's handling of the issue.

"The president has a lot to do with these fuel prices. He's made some decisions that didn't go the way he thought they'd go, and now we're weeping the consequences of some of those decisions," he said.

He added that while he expects prices to remain high, he hopes future policy changes will eventually lower costs.

"I believe everything goes up and comes down, but I've learned they go up real fast and come down real slow," Belden said.

The rancher warned that continued high diesel prices could threaten the viability of his operation and urged for quicker resolution of the fuel supply issue.