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ASA Joins Other Agriculture Groups to Talk Transportation Issues at BNSF Ag Rail Conference

Apr 24, 2014

The American Soybean Association (ASA) joined representatives from other commodity associations, grain processors and shippers, fertilizer companies and other key stakeholders this week in Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas for the annual BNSF Ag Products Summit, to discuss rail transportation issues and hear updates from BNSF executives.

Issues discussed included overview of BNSF grain operations improvement plans and increases in shuttles, locomotives and track infrastructure to enhance timelier response for grain shipments. Delays in shipments this year have had considerable impact on basis and soybean growers’ profitability.

In addition to general presentations during the summit, ASA had a private consultation with John Miller, group vice president agricultural products and Greg Guthrie, director of marketing of BNSF, to discuss recent service issues and rail disruptions from this past winter and early spring across the northern tier of soybean producing states.

Attending from ASA were Board directors Kevin Scott, S.D. and Chair of the Transportation Committee Bill Gordon, Minn. Along with staff Bill Schuermann, Executive Director, Member and Industry Relations.