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
Todd Janzen with Janzen Schroeder Ag Law explains the updated ag data use agreement model and what it means for farmers and companies alike.
January 29, 2026 01:25 PM
·
Early indications suggest the U.S. cattle industry may be nearing the end of its liquidation phase. Oklahoma State University livestock economist Dr. Derrell Peel says the industry could be at or near the cyclical low.
January 29, 2026 12:44 PM
·
Beef x Dairy cattle with strong genetics and documentation are earning prices comparable to native feeders.
January 29, 2026 08:00 AM
·
Roger McEowen explains the concept of “lawfare” — the use of legal systems to intimidate or financially exhaust an opponent — which grew into a central theme of U.S. ag law in 2025.
January 29, 2026 07:00 AM
·
Reliable waterways lower costs, protect export demand, and support long-term farm profitability.
January 29, 2026 06:00 AM
·
Justin Wheeler with the American Society of Farm Managers & Rural Appraisers joined us with insight into current farmland values and what to watch in the year ahead.
January 28, 2026 02:42 PM
·
