NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV) — U.S. grain transportation developments this September span policy, rail tariffs, and export activity. Six industry associations are urging the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to clarify its federal preemption authority under the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act, citing growing uncertainty and conflicting state regulations. The STB said it may issue a formal policy statement by the end of the year.
On the rail side, CSX announced higher tariffs for 2025/26 corn and wheat shipments to domestic destinations, effective October 1. Export rates remain essentially unchanged. Meanwhile, STB harvest plan filings show that western carriers, such as BNSF, UP, and CPKC, are increasing grain capacity, while eastern carriers, including CSX and Norfolk Southern, anticipate slightly fewer grain trains during peak harvest.
USDA reported export sales for the new marketing year at 36.27 million metric tons—up 11 percent from last year. Weekly corn sales totaled 1.23 mmt, soybeans 0.92 mmt, and wheat 0.38 mmt. Grain rail traffic rose 9 percent week-over-week, while barge shipments increased modestly but remain 48 percent below last year. Ocean freight rates to Japan edged up from the Gulf but held steady from the Pacific Northwest. Diesel fuel averaged $3.75 per gallon, 21 cents higher than a year ago.
Tony’s Farm-Level Takeaway: Higher domestic rail tariffs and mixed capacity shifts will influence grain movement this harvest. Strong corn exports provide momentum, but logistics costs remain a critical factor.
U.S. sugar producers and processors should brace for price pressure and challenging export logistics with global sugar supply ramping up — driven by Brazil, India, and Thailand — especially at the raw processing level.
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David Klein with the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA) shares an end-of-harvest update and a peek at the farmland market in Central Illinois.
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Host of
RealAg Radio Shaun Haney discusses how the proposed reductions to agriculture programs in Canada’s new budget could affect research and support programs that farmers need.
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Wed, 12/10/25 – 7:30 PM ET | 6:30 PM CT | 5:30 PM MT | 4:30 PM PT
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The Farm Bureau urges trade enforcement, biofuel growth, fair input pricing, and pro-farmer policy reforms to restore long-term certainty.
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A SCOTUS ruling on Trump’s tariffs could have long-term implications on the authority of future administrations to control U.S. trade policy, according to RFD-TV legal expert Roger McEowen.
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Farmers for Free Trade Executive Director Brian Kuehl shares more about the tour to gather farmers’ insights on the economic challenges they face in the ag economy.
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According to Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins, the top three soy-crushing companies in Bangladesh agreed to buy $1 billion worth of U.S. soybeans over the next year.
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