Despite the need for the U.S. Surface Transportation Board to intervene to ensure shipments of corn to Foster Farms, the company has issued an assurance that no flocks were deprived of feed.
A company spokesman stated, “Foster Farms grain inventories are currently at levels that enable us to meet the nutritional requirements of all flocks in our care and bird health is not at risk.” The statement added, “All Foster Farms facilities are operating and our hope is that more reliable service standards can be maintained and further disruptions minimized.”
Union Pacific stated that it has voluntarily provided the Surface Transportation Board and Foster Farms with service updates since January 3rd. Union Pacific has blamed delays in delivery to about twenty western states on extreme cold and blizzard conditions. The U.S. Surface Transportation Board has intervened twice, first on 
June 17th and then December 30th enjoining Union Pacific to “make all efforts to meet scheduled grain deliveries to Foster Farms, based in Modesto CA.”
Notwithstanding the restoration of services, Foster Farms should evaluate storage capacity for grains in the event of shortages that may occur in the future as a result of natural catastrophe and events beyond the control of their rail provider.