Diesel near record highs hits farmers at harvest; new orders offer partial relief

Farmers and ranchers across Wyoming, Nebraska and Colorado are bringing in this fall’s crops with diesel prices still close to the record highs set in September. Nebraska has issued state orders and the president signed a federal order Oct. 5 aimed at easing the cost, but the help covers only part of the bill, and as of Wednesday the federal piece was still waiting on Treasury guidance.

Diesel prices at Torrington pumps Wednesday ranged from $5.75 to $5.89 a gallon. Thrifty’s listed diesel at $5.86 at noon, the Cenex posted $5.75 and the Westco listed a cash price of $5.89 that morning. That is roughly 30 to 45 cents below Wyoming’s average of $6.20 a gallon, the most recent figure AAA had posted, dated Oct. 6. A year earlier, the state average was $3.53.