"This time last year I was paying 33 pence per litre for red diesel. Now it's up at 68 pence," Ballyclare contractor David Strain told Farming Life.
"And that's not all! Traditionally the fuel companies offered contractors 60 days credit.
"Now they are pushing to take the money directly from our bank accounts ten days after delivery. In addition the banks are putting pressure on contracting businesses to get money in from farmers as quickly as possible.
"As a result of all this I am now telling customers that they must pay up within 60 days."
David went on to confirm that he is currently charging £60 per acre plus VAT to mow, rake, lift, cart and buck rake grass.
"The equivalent figure twelve months ago was £45.
"We are now metering all the fuel that we use in order to get an accurate handle on costs," he further explained.
"We run 6 tractors, one harvester and a shovel. Yesterday we used 1200 litres of diesel and my weekly fuel bill is now averaging £10,000.
"It takes between 3.5 and 4.0 gallons of fuel to harvest and ensile one acre of grass at the present time.
"But crops are still very light and this figure could well rise to eight gallons, once we get into the main cutting season."
Given this prospect David may well change to a fixed fee per acre plus a top-up fuel charge over the coming weeks.
"It's the only way of letting farmers see just how much it is costing me to get on with the work," he stressed.
"I would consider the option of farmers supplying the fuel, provided their tanks are accessible. Unfortunately, this is not the case on every farm."
David Strain concluded: "I realise that farmers are facing a pretty tight credit squeeze at the present time. Contractors find themselves in exactly the same situation. And in my own case I am trying to find a balanced way forward, which takes all parties' point of view into consideration."