Wood product mills in the western US and Canada are reportedly suffering from disrupted rail services.

Industry newsletter Random Lengths said the disruption has caused at least one western sawmill to cut back production after having no space left to store sold but unshipped lumber.

The shortage in rail cars has been blamed on insufficient power, train crews, equipment and poor management.

Some mills are diverting rail orders to trucks despite higher costs, while others are using boxcars or barges.

A strike by union workers on CN Rail has reportedly slowed transport, while Union Pacific says strong demand for lumber and panels has been a big cause of the problem.