Supply Chain and Logistics
Ag & Business Legal Strategies’ Joe Peiffer discusses Chapter 12 bankruptcy trends in agriculture and rising risks as farm income declines.
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.
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.
Structural efficiency supports cattle prices and resilience — breaking it risks higher costs and greater volatility.
Reduced winter placements indicate tighter fed cattle supplies and greater leverage during peak-demand months.
Rail strength is helping stabilize grain movement, but river and export slowdowns continue to limit overall logistics momentum.
Seasonal boxed beef softness does not change the tight-supply outlook — leverage remains closer to the farm gate heading into 2026.
Sen. Deb Fischer reintroduces the HAULS Act to update hours-of-service exemptions and definitions affecting livestock and agricultural haulers. She joins us on Market Day Report to share more about her proposed legislation.
Strong crush demand and rising ethanol production are pressuring feedstocks, as traders monitor storage risks and supply chain uncertainty and await the upcoming January WASDE report.