Posted on 03/21/2022 2:27:00 PM PDT by blam
The North American agricultural sector could be in for a major shock if Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd’s (CP Rail) work stoppage is not resolved in a timely manner because it could spark a shortage of fertilizer and other shipments critical for the spring growing season, according to AP News.
AP News reports more than 3,000 CP Rail conductors, engineers, train, and yard workers represented by the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference stepped off the job Sunday as the union and CP Rail couldn’t strike a deal.
CP Rail is the leading carrier of potash, a potassium-rich salt mined from underground deposits formed from evaporated sea beds millions of years ago, used to support crop development. In prior investor documents, the rail company said it hauls 70% of the potash produced in North America, all from mines in Canada. The railroad also carries fertilizers, including phosphate, urea, ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, and anhydrous ammonia.
A disruption of fertilizer shipments could significantly impact US farmers on the cusp of planting season. The work stoppage may exacerbate existing supply chain bottlenecks in North America stemming from COVID. The agricultural sector can’t afford any more disruptions as Western economic sanctions on Russia and Belarus, two major fertilizer producers, have unleashed higher prices globally and shortage fears. Here’s how much fertilizer Russia exports to North America.
The union said they tried to continue bargaining, but CP Rail “chose to put the Canadian supply chain and tens of thousands of jobs at risk.”
“As Canadians grapple with a never-ending pandemic, exploding commodity prices and the war in Ukraine, the rail carrier is adding an unnecessary layer of insecurity, especially for those who depend on the rail network,” the union said.
Canadian potash spot prices per ton in USD are nearing record-high levels.
CP Rail extends throughout the Midwest; Its rail services cover Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, other regions, including parts of the Northeast.
Federal negotiators are moderating the discussions between CP Rail and the union. However, there’s no timeline on when an agreement will be reached.
Mike Steenhoek, the Iowa-based executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition, was quoted by Reuters as saying, “the current war in Ukraine is placing additional pressure on delivering U.S. agricultural production and inputs, particularly fertilizer.”
“A shut down in operations at Canadian Pacific will certainly compound that stress,” Steenhoek said.
Canada is about a month away from seeding, and parts of the US could be imminently ready to plant. If farmers don’t have enough fertilizer on hand, it could have severe implications for declining yields for this year’s harvest.
For the sake of the North American food supply, let’s hope a resolution is found shortly. Otherwise, anyone who didn’t prepare for food shortages will be eating lentils and insects.
Maybe Turdeau can threaten them too.
Just send it by truck... oh wait.
May wheat contracts are up 5.22% today. Wheat prices have almost doubled since Biden took office. Get used to eating saw dust.
Severe Drought & “Dust Bowl Conditions” Threaten Disastrous Winter Wheat Harvest In The US
"Due to extreme drought, winter wheat is in very bad shape in states such as Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. The following comes from one of the most prominent agricultural websites in the entire country…"
Plains Drought To Curb U.S. Wheat Harvest, Adding To Global Supply Worries
The agricultural sector can’t afford any more disruptions as Western economic sanctions on Russia and Belarus
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Didn’t the Associated Press say that Russia is a gas station, according to economic experts?
Just like the east coast Longshoremen went on strike at the height of WW2.
Never let a crisis go to waste.
You might have wondered why I hate unions. Now you know.
***the rail company said it hauls 70% of the potash produced in North America, all from mines in Canada***
We need to reopen the closed potash mines around Carlsbad NM.
If, however, you believe the writings of Svensmark and Calder, we're in for a massive cooling trend over the next 500 years that could destroy society. WARMING is not a bad thing. People have ways to cool down when it's hot. Cooling is much, much worse for a multitude of reasons.
Send it by electric trucks.
“As Canadians grapple with a never-ending pandemic,...” the union said.
“NEVER-ENDING” eh? I see the problem, here.
In lockstep with Statist Fauxi and the Statist Teamsters in the US.
Oil rigs do not produce any natural gas or oil.
Given how FoS that the Prime Mistake of PRC (Politically Repressive Canada) is, if True-dolt is given a massive dose of ExLax. That should provide enough fertilizer for a year of N. American farming!
They say many things. With sanction war between Russia and Germany I think Germany is toast in two years.
The Problem With Natural Gas Flaring.
I don't want to give this article a while lot of credibility because it pushes the global warming scam but flaring is real. You could have a third party simply drive up to such places with the needed equipment and use this natural gas to fix nitrogen from the air. That is the first step in making fertilizer.
While = whole. Damn auto correct!
Once quantum computing kicks into high gear there will not only be no bitcoins left to mine but encryption will start requiring numbers much bigger than those used today.
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