Agricultural aviators have gotten off to a rocky start nationwide this year between weather and fuel prices. As the year continues to move on, it?s a busy time for these aviators. But how are the weather and fuel prices continuing to affect those agricultural aviators?
Leading the National Agricultural Aviation Association, Jim Perrin, talks about what the fields are looking like so far nationwide. He mentions how we all got off to a rough start this season, and the heat is really causing havoc in the South as it settles in. He says the Northwest are dealing with wet conditions and lots of disease action happening in their wheat. He finally reaches the Midwest where we started out with cold and wet springs but as the heat is developing, our crops are looking good despite being a few weeks behind.
We all know the struggle with fuel prices this season has really taken a toll on our producers. Perrin talks about how those fuel prices and supply chain issues have changed our thought processes on how we do things. He mentions that not only are we dealing with those fuel prices skyrocketing, but we are also dealing with a shortage in truck drives to haul that fuel. Perrin talks about how fuel suppliers are beginning to order fuel months ahead of time for rest of the season to stay on top of those driver shortages. But while they can order fuel for a whole season, some are stuck being subjected to the market and those changing prices.
Perrin mentions that with 3,300 ag aviators nationwide, they still have a pilot shortage. He talks about the many things they do to help recruit more ag aviators and although they might not reach a lot of people, they do everything in their power to try.
For more information about the National Agricultural Aviation Association, visit agaviation.org.
