Union Pacific is Well Prepared for Another Successful Harvest

Over the past 2.5 years, Union Pacific maintained a consistent minimum of 290 miles traveled per day for its shuttle fleet – a service record unmatched in Union Pacific’s recorded history for grain shipments and a good barometer of the railroad’s fluidity and ability to meet customers’ needs.

“We have a strong, resilient and well-sourced network that is positioned to support our customers’ harvest needs this year and into the future,” said Ryan Raess, general director, Marketing and Sales.

Union Pacific transports about 1.3 billion bushels of grain a year, connecting the Midwest and Western production areas to export terminals in the Pacific Northwest and Gulf Coast, as well as Mexico. The railroad also serves significant domestic markets, including grain processors, animal feeders and ethanol producers in the Midwest and West.

Union Pacific spends months planning and preparing for the harvest. The team tracks global commodity markets and meets frequently with customers to gauge market demand and harvest outlooks. It also makes annual adjustments for supply-and-demand variables driven by weather, growing conditions and world grain production.

The railroad then readies its resources to handle the anticipated harvest season, with crews, locomotives and covered hoppers strategically placed to support forecasted demand.

In each of the past two years, due to its extensive preparations and coordination with customers, Union Pacific’s shuttle fleet achieved at least 310 miles per day in the critical fourth quarter during harvest season.

The railroad is on target to do it again this year.

“We are in a great position to meet this year’s harvest demands, delivering service levels above and beyond what we sold our customers,” said Raess.