The damage of Hurricane Harvey has seen ripple effects across the country, as gas prices have rose over the last few weeks due to the temporary shutdown of some Texas oil refineries.

The rise in oil prices may be detrimental for farmers heading into the harvest season. ISU Extension Farm Management Specialist Ryan Drollette describes where gas prices have increased in Iowa, “There are different pockets of the southeast corner of the state that have seen some substantial increases in fuel prices, and there are a few pockets that have seen just a 10% increase. So it’s going to be all over the board I would say.”

On average there has been a 10% increase in prices, and in some areas as much as a 20% increase according to Drollette. He advises farmers who are looking to purchase fuel, “I would say it’s a matter of taking an opportunity to shop around and find [it]. If I haven’t secured my fuel yet for harvest, [be] looking for an opportunity of saving some costs of shopping around for fuel, and things that are in my area and how far away I have to go to get a good fuel price, and whether it outweighs or offsets my price of being able to do that.”

Higher fuel prices will have varying effects on different farmers. If a farmer has a fuel storage unit on their farm and has already purchased their fuel in preparation for harvest, they will see minimal impact.