'Am I out?' Drought and rising costs from Iran war deepen pain for US farmers
U.S. farmers are facing severe challenges due to a combination of drought and rising costs linked to the ongoing Iran war. The price of essential inputs like fuel and fertilizer has surged, exacerbating the already difficult conditions caused by a resurgent drought. Many farmers are struggling to afford necessary supplies, leading to concerns about their harvests and overall economic viability.
- ▪The cost of farm diesel has increased by 72% since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
- ▪More than 60% of the continental United States is currently experiencing drought conditions.
- ▪U.S. farmers are expected to produce the smallest crop of hard red winter wheat since 1957.
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'Am I out?' Drought and rising costs from Iran war deepen pain for US farmersSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxPublished May 20, 2026, 06:14 PMUpdated May 20, 2026, 06:14 PMTULIA, Texas, May 20 - Scott Irlbeck crouched in a field of stunted wheat plants in a parched stretch of West Texas and slipped his hand into a crack wide enough to swallow it.Last autumn, Irlbeck planted a crop that barely grew because rain never came. He now hopes his insurance adjuster will declare it a total loss so he will not need to spend money on pricey fuel to harvest it next month.Soaring costs of fuel and commercial fertilizer in the wake of the Iran war are making hard times worse for farmers across the U.S.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Straits Times — World.