A west coast dairy farmer says soaring diesel costs are putting him in a tight situation.
The cost of diesel has nearly doubled since last year and Eric Spears of Cornerstone Farms in Cormack estimates diesel alone will cost him about $150,000 by year-end.
Growth has flatlined and he’s now in the position of having to conserve diesel to prevent a loss until he’s able to raise prices in the new year in what is a regulated industry.
“It’s a challenge and these are costs we just have to keep absorbing. We’re not blessed like the fuel stations – we just get to put it up 10 cents a litre. We have to absorb it. We don’t get any pay raises every week.”
He says government subsidies and programs do not scratch the surface to help with the costs.
