The issue of rail service for Northern Plains farmers producing a bumper crop this harvest season is becoming worse. Burlington Northern Santa Fe officials say they’re catching up on the needed rail cars. However South Dakota Ag Secretary Lucas Lentsch says many elevators in the state are already filled to capacity with harvest just starting.
On Friday Lentsch was meeting informally with Surface Transportation Board members to discuss the rail problem. He’s also still advising producers to make contingency plans if the rail dilemma persists. That won’t work however for those in the Ethanol industry who depend on railroads for shipping their product. Lentsch says that needs to be addressed.
Lentsch says if the rail problem isn’t solved and the grain doesn’t move, South Dakota becomes the nation’s largest warehouse.