Rural contractors in New Zealand are facing an unprecedented blow: soaring diesel costs - that ultimately are being past onto farmers. Daryl Thompson, Vice President of the NZ Rural Contractors, reveals how they use 'fuel adjustment factors'. Daryl explains how contractors are trying tangible tactics like rerouting, scheduling smarter runs, and internal process tweaks that make a genuine difference. He is actively involved in daily conversations between contractors and government agencies to explain why being deemed ‘essential’ is crucial, and what future policy might look like for primary industries under pressure from global conflicts and rising fuel prices.