NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD-TV) — Last week, shareholders of both Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern approved their merger. When the ink is dry, it will create the first transcontinental railroad in the United States.
Mike Steenhook with the Soy Transportation Coalition tells us there could be some concern around consolidation. He says the pressure is now on other rail lines to follow suit, and warns that some customers are worried they will lose significant negotiating power.
Lawmakers are also worried about future rail choices. That is why Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisc., filed the Reliable Rail Service Act earlier this year.
“They preference their biggest customers, and they don’t recognize that they have a common carrier duty to all shippers,” Sen. Baldwin explained. “And so, my Reliable Rail Service Act helps us build a strong economy and lower costs for consumers and shippers by requiring the freight rail services to be reliable and to understand what their common carrier obligation means.”
Baldwin said her bill would put a definition to that term. Once that is accomplished, she says it will help the enforcement agencies hold rail shippers accountable.
Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-IA, details how the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” Act (OBBBA) supports farmers, biofuels, and rural communities with tax breaks, crop insurance relief, and ag infrastructure.
December 23, 2025 02:01 PM
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Oregon FFA CEO Kjer Kizer discusses the proposed budget reductions, potential consequences, and the importance of protecting learning opportunities for students interested in agriculture.
December 23, 2025 01:34 PM
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RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney explains why the 2026 USMCA review could directly affect dairy access, produce competition, and export reliability for U.S. farmers and ranchers.
December 23, 2025 01:04 PM
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More than 1,100 residents and farmers have signed a letter urging Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins to step in, saying the proposal threatens irrigation supplies and long-term farm viability in the region.
December 23, 2025 11:37 AM
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Reviewing risk management now can help dairy and livestock producers enter 2026 with clearer margins and fewer surprises.
December 22, 2025 03:19 PM
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Canada’s new voluntary Grocery Sector Code of Conduct will take effect on Jan. 1, a goodwill effort to promote fairness and transparency between retailers and support farms that sell directly to stores.
December 22, 2025 02:54 PM
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