Soaring diesel prices taking a toll on Oklahoma rancher

Key Points:

• Scott Belden, a third-generation rancher in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, is facing intense stress due to record-high diesel prices amid harvest season, with fuel costs rising over 65% since the Iran war began.
• Belden consumes 90 to 100 gallons of diesel daily during harvest, and the increased fuel expenses are causing significant financial strain, making his hay harvesting business unprofitable.
• Despite the high costs, Belden feels compelled to continue purchasing diesel to keep his operations running, estimating an additional $1,000 to $1,400 in weekly expenses due to fuel price surges.
• Belden, a three-time Donald Trump voter, believes the ongoing fuel price crisis will negatively impact Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections and attributes some responsibility to the president's policies.
• While Trump has promised increased diesel imports from Russia to lower prices, Belden remains skeptical and warns that without immediate control of diesel costs, many in agriculture and related industries will face severe hardship.