Local farmer explains impact of increase in diesel, fuel prices

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- While regular gas prices across the United States continue to rise, so do diesel prices.

According to Triple A's website, the current price for diesel is $6.34 a gallon. Farmers are now entering harvest season and are seeing different prices than from a year ago. In Sept. of 2025, the price for a gallon of diesel was $3.42. That makes it a nearly $3 difference in a year long span.

Tim Gach is a local farmer in St. Joseph and sees this rise in diesel prices making an impact on farmers.

"The increase in fuel prices does have a definite impact on the agricultural community," said Gach. "Farmers rely on diesel fuel to run their tractors, combines and semi trucks. Harvest is starting or has started and will continue on for another month and a half. All of that fuel that they need to do that harvest is what's impacting the agricultural community."

While Gach sees this impacting farmers, he also expects it to affect consumers as well.

"The problem is it all runs downhill," said Gach. "You see it raising prices because it's just passed along to the consumer. Whether you're talking about groceries or whether you're talking about clothing or any other goods, it gets passed along. There will be higher prices down coming down the road."

To keep track of price trends throughout the state, visit KQ2's Fuel Finder web page.