According to news reports, Union Pacific Railroad has failed to consistently supply Foster Farms with adequate quantities of corn resulting in disruption in feed production.
As with many rail companies, Union Pacific has experienced problems in maintaining schedules, a fact acknowledged by the CEO of the company who has pledged to supply Foster Farms.
With the risk of having to depopulate farms early in the event of shortages of feed, Foster Farms has requested and received an emergency order from the Surface Transportation Board impelling the rail company to supply corn comdignments. These are normally delivered in 100-car train loads that realistically require small crews but considerable support staff.
The vulnerability of all livestock producers in the three West coast states is evidenced by the ingredient supply problems experienced by Foster Farms.