Arlington, VA – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch thanked the Surface Transportation Board (STB) for holding this week’s hearing on “Urgent Issues in Freight Rail Service.”
“Railroads are critical to the on-time delivery of fertilizer to farmers exactly where and when they need it,” Rosenbusch said. “We appreciate the opportunity to provide testimony on how rail service issues are negatively impacting the cost and timely delivery of fertilizer inputs to farmers.”
In submitted testimony, TFI cited such issues as the implementation of precision scheduled railroading (PSR), a lack of competition, and a lack of structural and market-based incentives to be customer-oriented as leading to reduced rail service, high shipping rates, and poor cycle times.
The STB also heard testimony from Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Dr. Jewel Bronaugh, both of whom mentioned the importance and challenges facing fertilizer shippers, as well as other agriculture groups such as the American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Grain and Feed Association.
“The ag economy relies heavily on dependable rail service to get inputs to farmers,” concluded Rosenbusch. “The inclusion of so many other groups experiencing the same challenges as the fertilizer industry shows that these issues are felt broadly, are having negative impacts, and must be addressed through modern reforms.”
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The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is the leading voice of the nation’s fertilizer industry. Tracing its roots back to 1883, TFI’s membership includes fertilizer producers, wholesalers, retailers and trading firms. TFI’s full-time staff, based in Washington, D.C., serves its members through legislative, educational, technical, economic information and public communication programs. Find more information about TFI online at TFI.org and follow us on Twitter at @Fertilizer_Inst. Learn more about TFI’s nutrient stewardship initiatives at nutrientstewardship.org and on Twitter at @4rnutrients.
