Weather adds to farmers' financial uncertainty

… “Without moisture this wheat is going to continue to die,” he said.

Add in the high costs of planting last fall — the spike in oil prices drove up the price of petroleum-based fertilizers, fuel and chemicals — and the chances of making a profit this year look bleak.

“Four or five years ago, we were buying $350 to $400 a ton fertilizer. This wheat crop here, when we fertilized last August or September, fertilizer was $1,100,” Sellard says.

“Even if we had a decent crop, even if we cut it decently, this wheat crop will be in the red.”

CNN