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6/21/2022
The Surface Transportation Board on June 17 issued an emergency order to Union Pacific Railroad to deliver on its commitment to move unit trains of corn on behalf of Foster Poultry Farms from origins in the Midwest to California.
In its decision, the board directed UP to give preference and priority to Foster Farms' corn deliveries. The board issued its decision in response to Foster Farms' petition filed earlier this month to order UP to make the deliveries.
According to the petition, UP delivers corn in 100-car unit trains to Foster Farms' facilities, where it is processed into corn meal for animal feed. The petition alleges that service failures began in February and that Foster Farms asked the STB Office of Public Assistance, Governmental Affairs and Compliance to resolve the situation.
The shipper said an emergency service order was necessary to alleviate harm to its business and the poultry, dairy and feed yard livestock that depend on the distribution of corn meal supplied by Foster Farms.
The corn delivered by UP is used exclusively for feeding cattle and chickens that provide food supplies. The service failures impact Foster Farms’ ability to serve the public, the petition stated.
On June 16, UP filed a reply to the petition acknowledging that it has not provided adequate service to Foster Farms and that it is committed to improving its performance.
To read the entire STB decision in the case, click here.