Connection Spring 2014 | Page 14

GRAIN RECAPS Switch a milestone for CSC c By Joe Kelley ommodity Switching Company, Inc. switched its first unit train out of the Port of Victoria. This is a significant milestone for both the port and for CSC. First of all, it demonstrates to the port, the port’s customers and the Union Pacific Railroad that we have the capability and flexibility to accommodate these trains in proper fashion. Second, it translates into more value for all involved. The train in question consisted of 80 railcars, each car carrying approximately 100 short tons of frac sand for one of the port’s customers. Basically, the unit train is a train where all of the cars on the train are originating from one point and will travel together to its destination as one complete train, as opposed to manifest trains, which are made up of several cars of various commodities between distribution hubs — in this case, railcars are following a similar pattern as passengers on a plane who have to change planes at a hub airport to reach the next destination. The Union Pacific railroad has agreed to allow CSC and the Port of Victoria to work an additional four more sand trains over the next 30 to 45 days on behalf of the port’s customers. After this time period, all parties will review the activity and process and decide what the next step should be in the process to enable a regular schedule for the port’s customers. The CSC team, stakeholders, the Port of Victoria and its customers and the Union Pacific Railroad have all worked hard to make this happen. This was a challenge put forth to the group, and we were able to respond in quick fashion. Not only is this important for CSC and the Port of Victoria, if this scenario develops the way we hope it will, we could realize the ability to originate 75-car unit grain trains out of this location, which would have a tremendous impact on the freights United Ag could enjoy as a shipper and the overall value it could present to its members. Seed of the South District Sales Manager: Cord Willms PO Box 997 • El Campo, Texas 77437 361.960.4399 Terral Seed Soybean Varieties The Science Behind the Seed REV 49R22 • 4.9 RM - indeterminate • Good plant height with bushy plant type • Excellent wide row bean • Handles most soil types & irrigation adaption REV 51R53 • 5.1 RM - indeterminate • Good plant height with bushy plant type • Excellent wide row bean • Best suited for mixed to lighter soils REV 56R63 • 5.6 RM - determinate • Good plant height with semi bushy plant type & big wide leaves • Very good disease package • Adapts to most soil types & row spacing • Flood irrigation adaption REV 57R21 • 5.7 RM - determinate • Very tall plant with wide leaf & bushy plant type