General News
17 March, 2026
Farmers feel fuel pressure
Wimmera farmers say rising fuel prices are already putting pressure on farm budgets, with many now more concerned about fuel and fertiliser availability than the price rise alone as sowing approaches. This comes as several service stations across the region try to balance high demand and rising prices.
Dimboola farmer Kate Cross said the increase was adding another layer of cost to an already expensive season.
“There are definitely people just wanting to make sure that they can actually get through sowing and even to transport the grain that we have on the farm and just conduct those simple everyday things that we need to do,” she said.
Ms Cross said the higher diesel price would cut into yearly returns.
“It’s just adding that extra cost to our inputs and our overall margin at the end of the year,” she said.
She said supply delays were already causing concern.
“Last time we called up for diesel was already a two-week wait,” she said.
Rainbow farmer Ben Gosling said access to fuel was becoming the biggest issue for growers trying to plan ahead.
“Probably the availability is the biggest concern,” he said.
“It’s hard to plan for the cropping ahead when you’re not even sure if you can be guaranteed fuel to run your machinery,” he said.
Mr Gosling said farmers were trying not to panic buy, but they still needed to secure enough fuel to keep working.
"We take fuel when it's available," he said.
He said input costs were also adding to uncertainty, especially around urea.
"The cost of urea and the availability are other big concerns as well," he said.
Yaapeet farmer Gene Fuller said growers were already buying fuel earlier than normal due to the fears that supply might tighten further.
"I think what's our biggest worry is the worry that it's not going to be there when we want to crop," he said.
Mr Fuller said his farm was already purchasing well ahead of schedule.
"We're probably a month ahead of when we normally buy," he said.
He said the rising cost of fuel was already being passed through to farm businesses.
"It's hitting our pocket now, and all our inputs are going through the roof," he said.
All farmers across the region said the pressure could eventually flow beyond the farm gate, with higher freight, fertiliser and fuel costs likely to affect production decisions and, in time, consumers as well.
Fuel panic hits
Some fuel outlets in Horsham and Warracknabeal have introduced limits on diesel purchases after a rush on supplies.
Minyip Progress Association president Marie Milgate issued a plea to the community to remain calm and considerate, and to resist the temptation to buy fuel out of panic.
"I spoke to Bonneys at 9.30am on Tuesday and was told we had 10,000 litres of diesel," Ms Milgate said on March 11.
"Tonight, as of 6.30pm, we have no diesel."
Ms Milgate said if everyone just brought what was needed, everyone would have access to fuel.
It is understood BP Horsham, on Dimboola Road, ran out of diesel early last week, and since then, other service stations have also experienced the same issue.
Another post on Thursday morning notified BP customers that diesel had been received, but again reminded them to be considerate of others.
Likewise, Metro Petroleum Dimboola was also depleted of diesel on Wednesday, explaining in a post on their socials it was "due to people going nuts and the chaos around us".
The service station, with replenished stock late Wednesday, then announced restrictions across the board on all diesel and fuel.
"We are slapping a cap on all fuel grades until things calm down, so everyone gets a fair shot," a post read.
"That means 300 litres is the max per person, per diesel or fuel grade."
Likewise, Werrigar Roadhouse in Warracknabeal has also paused filling bulk fuel containers, such as fuel pods and trailers.
This was imperative, they said, to ensure fuel remained available for the community, daily motorists and essential services.
It comes as Brett Hosking, Victorian Farmers Federation president, said farmers are bracing for the fuel issues to impact their harvest.
"Tens of thousands of litres at a time get delivered onto farms, and that's a ten thousand dollars extra hit than it was two weeks ago, and it's massive to your budget," he told Sky News Australia on March 12.
"You need to put seed in the ground, you need to spray, create a ground, you need to harvest the ground, so you need diesel to do all the things.
"It's a really serious condition, and we need a government that acknowledges that, listens to that and acts on that."
Mr Hosking, a farmer himself, admitted he wasn't immune to the problem.
“If our fuel supply runs dry, our agriculture industry and ability to feed millions would stop in a heartbeat.”
“We are urging the Federal Government to ensure fuel stock levels, refinery capability and supply chains are strengthened so that farmers aren’t left exposed to international shocks.”
“Members of the International Energy Association are obliged to hold 90 days of net fuel import, and Australia has been non-compliant since 2012.
"While Australia does have strategic national reserves, they are stored in the United States and would take over three weeks to reach Australia in the event of a crisis.”