NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD NEWS) — Farm shippers will soon get more rail-service visibility as the Surface Transportation Board adds two weekly reporting metrics for Class I railroads. STB says railroads must begin reporting original estimated time of arrival and industry spot-and-pull data on July 8.
The original estimated time of arrival will be used to measure whether manifest shipments arrive within 24 hours of the railroad’s original estimate. Industry spot and pull will track local railcar placements and pickups, giving shippers more insight into service reliability.
STB also launched a beta Open Data Portal with machine-readable data and visual tools for service measures such as train speeds and terminal dwell times. The agency says it plans to expand the portal over time.
The issue is practical for agriculture. An Oregon short line tied to Venell Farms filed a complaint after a Marys River bridge collapse cut off rail service, forcing grain, feed, grass seed, and fertilizer traffic onto trucks.
For farmers, better data may not solve every local rail problem, but it can make service failures easier to document.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Stronger rail reporting could help grain and input shippers track delays, missed placements, and local service breakdowns.
Tony St. James, RFD News Markets Specialist
Strong corn exports offer support, while soybeans and wheat remain weighed down by ample global supplies, according to the USDA’s latest WASDE report for February.
February 10, 2026 04:25 PM
·
Higher livestock prices reflect resilient demand, even as disease and herd shifts reshape 2026 supply expectations.
February 10, 2026 04:11 PM
·
Kevin Charleston of Specialty Risk Insurance discusses the importance of grain bin safety and joint efforts with Nationwide to provide farmers and first responders with access to critical, life-saving rescue tubes.
February 10, 2026 03:57 PM
·
RealAg Radio host Sean Haney outlines the Trump Administration’s current trade priorities and what meaningful market expansion looks like for farmers.
February 10, 2026 03:08 PM
·
Dr. Kelly Bruns from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture discusses how the college prepares students for careers in agriculture.
February 10, 2026 02:27 PM
·
Bankruptcy filings reflect prolonged margin pressure, rising debt, and limited financial flexibility across farm country. Bigger operating loans are helping farms manage costs, but they also signal growing reliance on borrowed capital.
February 10, 2026 01:35 PM
·
