John Boyd Jr., a fourth-generation farmer in southwest Virginia and president of the National Black Farmers Association, is navigating unprecedented fuel costs that have significantly impacted his agricultural operations. Boyd grows soybeans, corn, and wheat while raising beef cattle, and currently finds himself in the midst of corn harvesting season when fuel consumption is at its peak. A recent fuel purchase for his tractor totaled approximately $1,000, reflecting the dramatic increase in diesel expenses.
Diesel prices have surged to approximately $7 per gallon for Boyd, nearly double the cost from the previous year. Nationally, the average diesel price has climbed above $6.51 per gallon according to AAA data, surpassing the previous record of about $5.85 per gallon set earlier in September. Boyd manages his fuel supply by purchasing several hundred gallons at a time and transporting it to his farm for use in his equipment, as he does not maintain on-site diesel storage.
The financial strain extends beyond the immediate fuel costs. Corn is currently selling for approximately $5 per bushel, leaving Boyd with minimal margins to absorb the elevated fuel expenses required for harvesting operations. He describes the situation as “robbing Peter to pay Paul,” indicating that he must reallocate funds from other budgeted farm expenses to cover fuel costs. Boyd emphasized that there is little flexibility in absorbing these unexpected expenses.
The fuel price crisis is contributing to broader financial pressures affecting the agricultural sector. Boyd noted that more than 400 Black farmers face the risk of losing their farms and require financial assistance. He expressed concern that many affected farmers supported the current administration but now find themselves without adequate support as they struggle to maintain their operations. The underlying cause of elevated fuel prices stems from global market disruptions following military actions in the Middle East on Feb. 28, which have impacted oil shipments through critical transit routes and reduced diesel supply availability across multiple regions worldwide.
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