The Canadian Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroads have until today to submit their plan for delivery of fertilizer in the Northern Plains for spring planting. They also must provide the rail cars to get that job done according to an order from the Surface Transportation Board.  Pierre, South Dakota farm manager Pat Tracy says it remains to be seen whether they can get enough fertilizer in time to meet producer’s needs.

Tracy says it needs to be delivered in the next couple of weeks in order to help farmers get their spring planting done. He’s encouraged by the STB decision but says a long term rail solution for agriculture is needed.

Earlier Tracy and other South Dakota farmers had called attention to the rail problems which led to South Dakotans attending an STB hearing and testifying on the need for a solution.