Farmers in the West of England are facing "crippling increases" in the cost of essential fertiliser and fuel as global oil prices surge due to the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Local farmer Tom Collins described the conflict as an "overnight shock" for farmers in the region.
For most consumers, the immediate effect of the war has been a rise in heating oil prices, which have more than doubled since the conflict began, and a 9% increase in petrol prices, according to the RAC.
However, Collins, who represents the National Farmers' Union (NFU) in Wiltshire, noted that the price of fuel and fertiliser for farmers has "doubled overnight, and it's really tough".
Why have farm diesel prices doubled?
Tom Collins drives his favourite blue tractor around his farmyard near Malmesbury in Wiltshire, but filling it with fuel has been directly affected by the war.
"This tractor holds 400 litres of diesel," he explained, "and it's doubled in price in the last seven days, which has been a huge impact for our business."
The conflict has resulted in attacks on major oil and gas facilities and effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping channel near the Iranian coast. Approximately one fifth of the world's oil passes through this strait, and the disruption has caused global oil prices to soar, with diesel prices following suit.
While diesel prices at typical UK filling stations have risen by 24p per litre, or 17%, according to RAC research, the increase for farmers has been more severe.
This is because farmers use "red diesel," which is taxed at a lower rate to support agricultural use. Consequently, a larger portion of the price they pay is directly linked to the oil price.
Before the war, farm diesel cost about 65p per litre. Now, farmers are paying approximately £1.20 to £1.30 per litre, plus VAT.
"It's crippling," said Mike Catley, a dairy farmer managing 250 cows at Mile Elm farm near Calne.
The price increase is compounded by rationing. Catley typically orders 3,000 litres at a time but is now limited to 1,000 litres per order.
"And it's taking twice as long to get it. But if we can't fill the tractors, we can't feed the cows, simple as that," he said.
Why are fertiliser prices going up too?
As spring arrives in Wiltshire's arable fields, farmers are preparing to plant, which involves spreading fertiliser. Fertiliser prices have also surged.
Robin Aird, who manages the large Charlton Park farm in north Wiltshire, explained that he bought fertiliser ahead of time in autumn, paying £350 per tonne. If he needed to purchase more now, the price would be around £600 per tonne.
"And the biggest issue is availability. I mean, there is very little in the country, you can't get hold of liquid fertiliser at all."
While oil is widely known to come from the Middle East, it is less known that a third of the world's key fertiliser chemicals also transit the Strait of Hormuz.
Many smaller family farms purchase fertiliser as needed, which for many is now.
"For a 100 hectare farm (250 acres), if you were looking to go and purchase fertiliser today, you'd be having to find around £14,000 extra," Aird calculated.
Will farmers charge more for their food?
When asked if food prices would rise due to these increased costs, Tom Collins responded with a laugh.
"If only we could," he said.
Unlike many businesses that pass increased costs onto customers, farmers are "price takers, not price setters," Collins explained.
"The price of milk is set by the processors, and the price of grain is set by the mills.
"And we live in a world market as well, so we can't ask for more money for our wheat or our milk.
"It just is what it is, and we have to absorb these costs, and it's a real shock for most of us."
Farmers anticipate that the rapid cost increases will eventually lead to higher food prices.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said that while some extra costs might be absorbed by farmers and supply chain businesses, "some costs will inevitably be passed on to the consumer."
All farmers interviewed acknowledged that their difficulties are minor compared to the suffering of people in the war zone. They also noted that if the bombing stops soon and oil exports resume, prices would gradually decline.
However, Robin Aird expressed concern about the impact on next year's crops.
"If this carries on much longer then it will have a big impact," he said.
"I can see prices rising and rising. Because at the moment most people are covered but we all go back to the fertiliser market in May.
"And May is not very far away."
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