'Trying to budget for fuel has been crazy': High costs impact N.S. farmers
Farmers know uncertainty comes with the profession — with acres exposed to potential storms or droughts.
But this season, the weather isn’t the worry, it’s the cost of fertilizer and fuel.
“Horrendous this spring, trying to budget for fuel has been crazy,” said Tim Marsh, president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture.
With hundreds of acres on his farm, a tractor is a must to get through the to-do list.
“Hauling manure to the field, cultivating the land to get it ready for seeding, harvesting the land,” said Marsh.
Filling his 2000 litre tank happens each month. Despite paying less tax on fuel, the sticker shock doesn’t stop.
“You worry about fuelling your vehicle, you go and put 2000 litres in a tank.”
“Fortunately, I don’t burn as much diesel as many guys do. But at one point, I could be burning 15,000 litres a year, easy.”
Then there is the increased cost of herbicides and fertilizer.
“It’s probably going to be the most expensive seeding season for farmers,” said Sylvain Charlebois, director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University.
Charlebois says farmers could cash in later this year amid high food prices.
But seeding will come with a risk — farmers will have to spend a lot to make more.
“Coupled with that, of course, is the Ukrainian conflict that limits access to fertilizers and we saw that happen to commodity prices in recent months.”
Farmers in Nova Scotia rely on limestone to neutralize the acidic soil.
The province is boosting support to cover the cost of trucking it.
“This year I’m really worried that a lot of different producers are not going to have any leftover,” said Marsh.
Despite the price increases for farmers, Marsh says some are absorbing that cost. And some farmers might not be growing food because of it.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
NEW Iconic Canadian song turns 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
NEW How Canadians can watch the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest
Europe’s top pop stars are out and about for the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, taking place in Malmo, Sweden.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.