On April 8, Union Pacific told CF Industries, the leading nitrogen fertilizer company in the U.S., to cut its intended fertilizer shipments by 20%. The railroad says it wants to work down its backlog, which includes grain and ethanol. It is seeking to hire more workers and add locomotives.
CF’s CEO Tony Will told Transport Topics website (April 15 posting): “The timing of this action by Union Pacific could not have come at a worse time for farmers. Not only will fertilizer be delayed by these shipping restrictions, but additional fertilizer needed to complete spring applications may be unable to reach farmers at all.” (https://www.ttnews.com/articles/fertilizer-company-says-union-pacific-limits-will-hurt-farmers)
