Expect grain shipment delays, growers warned

The past president of the Montana Grain Growers Association told a packed room Wednesday that farmers need to plan ahead in selling their grain - if they wait until they need cash, rail delays may cause disappointment.

"Don't expect to wait until a month before you have to have income before you do," said MGGA Past President Ryan McCormick of Kremlin. "Make sure you are ahead of the game."

McCormick, talking at the MGGA Farm Bill meeting at the Northern Agricultural Research Center south of Havre, said everyone in the room probably has seen increased traffic on the rails along the Hi-Line.

BNSF Railway has been upfront about the problems, McCormick said, mainly a combination of increased oil and soybean shipments along with one of the coldest winters on record in the northern tier of the United States.

BNSF is working to add more engines online and to add more double track to relieve pressure, and the company invested $4 billion last year and is investing another $5 billion this year, McCormick said. But, he said, shipments probably will be delayed this year and likely into next year.

"They have been telling us for months now that it's going to be an issue this year," McCormick said. "They are aware of it.

"They are not happy about their service, and neither are we ... ," he added. "Just be aware of that. That's something to keep in mind for your income needs. Don't plan on selling grain right before you need income."