The start of Sean Kneebone’s growing season began with the realization that fertilizer prices had almost doubled since last year. As harvest approaches, fuel prices are consuming what margin the third-generation farmer had left.
“You spent a fortune to put a crop out, and now you’re going to spend a fortune to take it off,” Kneebone said. “And you better hope you got half-decent crop. And hopefully you come out in the end break-even. There’s not much of a profit to be made.”
Kneebone, who farms 500 acres in Lower Mount Bethel and Washington townships, is far from alone in expressing concern. The stress is audible in Lehigh Valley farmers’ voices as they describe an ever-growing list of pressure points topped by preharvest spikes in diesel fuel prices.
The people working the land are early risers with a long list of reasons to stay awake at night. As rising grocery prices continue to hit consumers’ wallets, the producer end of the farm-to-table spectrum say they’re under the same strains.
Fueling the farm
Fourth-generation farmer Tyler Smith is part of a family operation with 1,050 acres of corn, soybeans and hay to harvest across East Allen, Allen, Lehigh, Moore and Hanover townships in Northampton County.
That means running tractor-trailers and combines that hold 200-300 gallons a piece, so the recent rise in diesel fuel prices is about to start biting.
The equipment requires refueling every couple of days. As Smith and other local crop farmers approach their peak harvest time, the average cost of diesel in Pennsylvania stood at $6.57 on Thursday.
“When it’s $3 or $4 a gallon higher than what you’re used to paying, that adds up in a massive hurry,” Smith said.
Driving vehicles isn’t the only fuel cost for farm businesses that process crops for animal feed.
Propane is also required to dry out corn. Brad Weinhofer, a fourth-generation farmer whose family has already started the grain harvest on its 2,200 acres in Whitehall, East Allen and Allen townships, said modest increases in commodity prices won’t make up the difference as fuel, fertilizer and equipment costs have doubled.
“It seems like we kind of get it on every end, in every avenue lately with these prices going up,” Weinhofer said.
Geopolitics hit home
Lehigh Valley farmers have had a year in which they cannot ignore the local impact of international events.
Following the outbreak of the Iran war, Smith watched prices climb for his biggest crop input: nitrogen fertilizer.
“We’re in March, immediately prior to the highest demand time of the year — how can that not be a challenge?” Smith asked.
As stretched farm budgets rippled up the food supply chain, Kyle Kerr wondered whether consumers watching beef prices spike know it’s more expensive than ever for him to source new calves for his Washington Township farm.
“It’s an unfortunate cycle right now — passing it down the line, basically,” Kerr said. “Our costs are raised, and, therefore, we have to reluctantly raise our prices in order to be able to keep going.”
Kerr is the first generation in his family to go all in on the agriculture business. A job selling crop insurance brings in income as he and his wife work toward expanding their farm store operation.
Both Kerr and Kneebone said rising consumer interest in sourcing food locally has been one bright spot in a rough year.
“We want to be able to be successful, but we also want the consumer to be happy and know where their food’s coming from and be happy with it,” Kerr said.
The Kneebone and Sons Farm and Butcher Shop saw increased interest after news broke of plans to increase beef imports. The store carries canned and baked goods Kneebone’s wife produces, along with beef and chicken from their farm and pork from another local farmer.
Between the farm, the store and his livestock-hauling gigs, Kneebone is juggling three jobs. He’s got four boys, and says, “This is all for them in the end.”
There are nights Kneebone stays awake running numbers through his head, but he says farming is in his blood.
“It’s the closest thing to God and nature that you’re going to get.”