By Ashley Ball
News 3 On Your Side
News 3 On Your Side
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Stumble It!Ten years ago Ron Scroggins got out of farming.
He thought there was more money in the timber business- but now he is not so sure.
He is set up shop off Highway 165, north of Eufala, but he says the rising price of fuel is slowly putting him out of business.
Scroggins says each piece of his equipment burns 8 to 9 nine gallons of diesel an hour, and that adds up.
He says he spends $32,000 dollars on fuel a week. This time last year, it only cost $17,000.
Much of the timber he cuts goes to the Mead paper plant just down the street, but Scroggins says he loses $2-$3 on every ton he sells.
With no profit, he is not sure what else to do.
Scroggins says they, “Cut corners where we can, but there is no corner left to cut. I don't know what the next step is, wait and see.”
He says the only place to get more money for his product is the mill, but the mill has already raised their buying price to help with fuel.
While News 3 was out at the timber operation, Scroggins got a letter from his oil company.
Effective July 1st, oil and greases they use for machinery is going up 18%.
One more thing to add to Scroggins’ tab.
