(The Associated Press circulated the following story on September 2.)
GRAND FORKS, N.D. — Grain elevator operators are worried about railroad car delays, saying they might not be able to ship their wheat inventories in time to make room for late-season crops such as corn and soybeans.
“Our shipments are running about 15 days behind, and it looks like they’re going to get further behind,” said Sid Mauch, manager of the elevator in Prosper, in Cass County.
Mauch said he has stopped buying grain from farmers.
Rail car delays are mainly affecting elevators served by Burlington Northern Santa Fe, said Keith Brandt, an Enderlin elevator manager and president of the North Dakota Grain Dealers Association.
BNSF officials are aware of North Dakota’s demand for rail cars and are working to reduce delays, company spokesman Gus Melonas said.