Railroad and Maritime Trade
Lower tariff rates and new rail-service proposals may improve corn movement efficiency during early-season marketing.
Rail continues to carry a larger share of the grain load, increasing sensitivity to rail capacity, labor, and pricing conditions.
Mike Steenhoek with the Soy Transportation Coalition discusses supply chain challenges facing agriculture as snow, sleet and ice threaten most of the Eastern U.S.
The Surface Transportation Board rejects the proposed Norfolk Southern–Union Pacific merger, prompting concerns from agricultural shippers about rail consolidation, service reliability, and higher transportation costs.
Freight volatility and route selection remain critical to soybean export margins and competitiveness.
While short-term volatility remains a risk, softer ocean freight rates in 2026 could improve export margins.
Freight volatility increasingly determines export margins, making logistics costs as important as price in marketing decisions.
Strong pork demand and improving beef exports outside China support protein markets despite ongoing trade barriers.
Logistics capacity remains available, but winter volatility favors flexible delivery and marketing plans. NGFA President Mike Seyfert provides insight into grain transportation trends, trade policy, and priorities for the year ahead.
Rail strength is helping stabilize grain movement, but river and export slowdowns continue to limit overall logistics momentum.