GRAIN VALLEY, Mo. (RFD-TV) — A new federal review has found that nearly half of the nation’s truck driver training schools are not meeting government requirements, raising concerns about what this could mean for the future of agricultural shipping and the broader trucking workforce. Lewie Pugh, with the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), joined us on the Market Day Report to share his thoughts on the findings.
The federal review found “nearly 3,000 commercial driver’s license (CDL) training providers from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Training Provider Registry (TPR) for failing to equip trainees with the Trump Administration’s standards of readiness.” In addition, another 4,500 training providers were “placed on notice due to potential noncompliance.”
In his interview with RFD-TV News, Pugh reacted to the Transportation Department’s latest effort to ensure drivers are properly qualified and addressed whether he was surprised by the number of schools deemed out of compliance. He also discussed the potential impact on the industry. Pugh spoke about how these issues could affect recently qualified drivers who attended non-compliant schools and what consequences they may face moving forward.
He also shared what he would like to see happen next — outlining ideas for maintaining safety standards while supporting a strong, reliable shipping workforce.
As domestic production and blending slowed, export demand remained a clear bright spot.
January 11, 2026 12:00 PM
·
How the Public Trust Doctrine Threatens Agricultural Property Rights
January 10, 2026 07:00 PM
·
Tight fed supplies shift margin risk to packers, strengthening cattle price leverage but increasing volatility.
January 09, 2026 03:36 PM
·
Expanding chicken supplies are likely to keep prices under pressure in early 2026 despite steady demand growth.
January 09, 2026 11:00 AM
·
Reduced winter placements indicate tighter fed cattle supplies and greater leverage during peak-demand months.
January 09, 2026 06:00 AM
·
In a post to social media, Trump said Venezuela will buy American agriculture products and will use the money from oil sales to make it happen.
January 08, 2026 11:51 AM
·
Federal nutrition policy is signaling a stronger demand for whole foods produced by U.S. farmers and ranchers. Consumer-facing guidance favors animal protein, but institutional demand may change little under existing saturated fat limits.
January 08, 2026 11:42 AM
·
Farmer Bridge payments are being used primarily to reduce debt and protect cash flow, not drive new spending. Curt Blades with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers joined us to provide insight into the ag equipment market and the factors influencing sales.
January 08, 2026 08:00 AM
·
Rail strength is helping stabilize grain movement, but river and export slowdowns continue to limit overall logistics momentum.
January 08, 2026 06:00 AM
·
