{
  "id": 14846743,
  "title": "Soaring diesel prices taking a toll on Oklahoma rancher",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/soaring-diesel-prices-taking-a-toll-on-oklahoma-rancher",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-16T02:14:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News (US)",
    "slug": "abc-news-us",
    "url": "https://abcnews.com/Politics/soaring-diesel-prices-taking-toll-oklahoma-rancher/story?id=137288017"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Scott Belden, a third-generation rancher based in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, is experiencing an unprecedented level of stress as he navigates through the harvest season. The primary cause of Belden's anxiety is the escalating cost of diesel fuel, which has reached record-breaking levels. Belden, who is 55 years old, believes that the soaring fuel prices are putting additional strain on his business and his personal life.\n\nOil prices have surged since the beginning of the Iran war, with the average cost of a gallon of diesel reaching $6.32 on Thursday. This price hike marks a staggering 65% increase since the war started in February. Belden, who relies on diesel for virtually all his vehicles and equipment, burns between 90 and 100 gallons of fuel daily during the harvest. For him, running out of diesel is simply not an option, even if it means paying the exorbitant prices.\n\nBelden's ranch includes cattle and custom harvesting for hay, but he admits that the latter is unprofitable due to the high fuel costs. The rancher estimates that the increase in fuel expenses has added an additional $1,000 to $1,400 to his weekly operating costs. He worries about the long-term implications of the rising fuel prices, stating, \"If we don't get control of this diesel fuel and get it right now, people are probably consuming the loss, like as myself, but that cannot continue.\"\n\nAs the midterm elections approach, Belden's concerns about the economy and cost of living weigh heavily on him. He attributes the current economic strain to the high fuel prices and believes that Republicans will bear the brunt of the public's discontent. Despite his loyalty to President Donald Trump, Belden acknowledges that the president has made decisions that have contributed to the fuel price crisis. He hopes for a change in leadership and believes that the consequences of Trump's decisions will be felt for some time.",
  "summary": "\"It's probably the most stressful time in my life,\" Scott Belden told ABC News.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}