NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV) — U.S. grain transportation showed mixed but generally supportive signals in early December as rail volumes strengthened, barge movement rebounded, and fuel costs eased. Higher rail originations and lower diesel prices are helping offset seasonal logistical challenges for producers and shippers.
Class I railroads originated more than 30,700 grain carloads for the week ending December 6, up 20 percent from the prior week and well above both last year and the three-year average. Shuttle railcar premiums declined from the previous week but remain elevated compared with a year ago, while non-shuttle markets softened below tariff levels, signaling improved near-term availability.
Barge traffic also recovered sharply. Grain movements totaled nearly 888,000 tons, up 62 percent week over week, as more barges moved downriver. However, unloadings in the New Orleans region fell, reflecting lingering river and weather-related constraints.
Export loading remained slower than last year, with fewer vessels scheduled at Gulf terminals, though ocean freight rates to Japan edged lower from both Gulf and Pacific Northwest origins. Diesel prices declined nearly six cents per gallon, offering modest cost relief.
China’s stricter inspection rules prompt Cargill to pause soybean exports from Brazil, briefly lifting U.S. soybean prices as traders anticipate potential shifts in global trade, as export demand remains supportive across all major U.S. commodities.
March 13, 2026 12:57 PM
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Suderman joins Tony St. James in the RFD Studios to discuss how geopolitical tensions are triggering global transport disruptions, new inflation pressures, and other challenges for agriculture to navigate.
March 13, 2026 11:08 AM
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Severe drought in South Texas is forcing ranchers to consider cattle sell-offs as feed and water supplies dwindle, threatening herd health and livestock operations.
March 12, 2026 05:09 PM
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Farm Bureau economist Dr. Faith Parum explains how geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East could further tighten fertilizer movement, increase fuel costs, and complicate planting decisions for U.S. farmers this spring.
March 12, 2026 03:57 PM
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Dr. David Anderson with Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension discusses how geopolitical tensions and the Middle East, along with export disruptions in the Chinese market, will shape cattle markets in the months ahead.
March 12, 2026 12:54 PM
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Refining shifts could influence fuel and input costs.
March 12, 2026 07:00 AM
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