High energy costs from Iran war heighten pressure on struggling farmers
As the agriculture industry in Louisiana contends with major energy cost hikes brought on by the Iran war, some farmers are unsure if their businesses will survive.
COLUMBIA, Louisiana — In northeast Louisiana, agriculture pilot Reed Keahey flies with sticker shock.
His plane needs kerosene-based Jet-A fuel, the price of which has soared during the Iran war . A gallon that cost $2.46 in February, just before the war broke out, peaked at $4.11 in May.
Keahey buys 7,500 gallons at a time. He said that when fuel hit $4.11, he spent a little more than $30,000 on one round of fuel.
As of this week, it cost $3.18, but was rising again.
"It puts a squeeze, but I can't let my farmers feel that squeeze that it's putting on me," Keahey told CBS News.
With these fuel prices, the agricultural community in Louisiana feels there is little margin for error.