ByJon Dowding
Thursday, September 17, 2026 10:14PM
BUNNLEVEL, N.C. (WTVD) –After a year marked by drought-related crop losses, some North Carolina farmers say soaring diesel prices are adding another financial strain during harvest season.
At Byrd Family Farms in Harnett County, farmers James Byrd and his father R.H. Byrd Jr. spent Thursday harvesting more than 25 acres of tobacco. The family farm, owned by sixth- and seventh-generation farmers, also grows corn, wheat, soybeans and tobacco.
James Byrd said the operation relies on multiple harvesters to bring in the tobacco crop.
“We’ve got five bag harvesters running as we bring in this tobacco crop,” Byrd said.
The family said diesel costs have doubled compared with a year ago, increasing expenses at a critical time in the growing season.
R.H. Byrd Jr. pointed to the rising cost of fuel as one of the farm’s biggest challenges.
“The cost of diesel is one of our biggest challenges,” R.H. Byrd Jr. said. “Yesterday, on-road diesel was about $6.19 or $6.20 a gallon. A year ago, it was probably about $2.75 cheaper.”
The higher fuel costs come as the farm also works to recover from losses in its corn crop caused by this year’s drought.
James Byrd said the combination of increased expenses and reduced production has tightened already narrow profit margins.
“It just makes our profit margins even thinner. It was already thin, but it’s just as thin as a piece of paper,” he said.
In an exclusive interview with Eyewitness News Wednesday, President Donald Trump said global diesel production has been affected by the ongoing war involving Russia and Ukraine.
“Diesel is a bigger problem, frankly, than the gasoline for cars,” Mr. Trump said.
Concerns over rising costs have also reached Capitol Hill, where farmers from areas including Hoke and Robeson counties paired with NC Farm Bureau staff spoke with lawmakers about the financial challenges they face and the assistance they say is needed to remain in business.
Despite the economic pressures, the Byrd family said faith helps them persevere.
“As long as you’ve got faith in God, most of the time he will answer,” James Byrd said.
R.H. Byrd Jr. echoed that sentiment.
“A farmer don’t have faith, he can’t farm, no doubt about that,” he said.
The Byrd family said it is looking for ways to reduce expenses as it works to balance growing costs with smaller-than-expected profits.
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