NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV) — Grain transportation networks are under heavy pressure this fall as U.S. grain supplies exceed available storage for the first time since 2016. USDA estimates total fall grain supplies at 25.66 billion bushels — about 10% above average — leaving a national storage deficit of 184 million bushels. That shortage is forcing more grain into rapid movement, heightening demand for rail, barge, and truck capacity heading into winter.
States with the most profound storage deficits include Iowa (-390 mbu), Kansas (-320 mbu), South Dakota (-318 mbu), North Dakota (-310 mbu), Nebraska (-257 mbu), and Minnesota (-205 mbu). These same states now account for most of the emergency storage authorized under the U.S. Warehouse Act. Rail traffic is responding, with Kansas, Minnesota, and South Dakota each loading significantly more grain cars over the past six weeks.
Producers are also seeing infrastructure support expand. In Ohio, a $500,000 state grant will help rehabilitate R.J. Corman’s Western Ohio Lines, improving access to multiple grain elevators served by CSX and Norfolk Southern. Meanwhile, Iowa has temporarily suspended weight limits for grain and fertilizer transport through December 19, allowing trucks up to 90,000 pounds on non-interstate highways.
Export activity remains steady despite logistics strain, with unshipped balances for corn, soybeans, and wheat up 8% from last year. But barge movements dipped 12% last week, and ocean vessel loadings from the Gulf remain below year-ago levels. Brian Hoops, of Midwest Market Solutions, says USDA’s latest data shows solid sales for corn, soybeans, and wheat. He says rains are helping parts of South America, though some regions still need moisture, and early soybean interest from China is adding support.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Tight grain storage and stronger export positioning are pushing more grain onto railroads, highways, and river systems as logistics become a key bottleneck this fall.
Tony St. James, RFD-TV Markets Specialist
President Donald Trump says a deal is nearly done on lowering beef prices, but he has not released details.
October 17, 2025 11:31 AM
·
Large carryover stocks continue to put pressure on commodity prices, creating uncertainty for growers looking to market their grain.
October 16, 2025 04:20 PM
·
Peel says Mexico has a much greater capability to expand its beef industry than it did 20 or 30 years ago in terms of its feeding and packing infrastructure.
October 16, 2025 03:59 PM
·
Record crops are increasing grain storage needs, prompting safety experts to remind producers of the risk of grain bin entrapment during harvest.
October 16, 2025 01:26 PM
·
The impacts of the government shutdown have reached commodity growers with crops to move, ag economists monitoring the harvest without key data reporting, and meat producers in need of new export markets.
October 16, 2025 01:03 PM
·
In a statement provided to RFD-TV News, a USDA spokesperson reiterated President Trump and the USDA’s commitment to farmers in difficult economic times.
October 16, 2025 11:57 AM
·
Support policies that keep U.S. biofuels at the table—marine demand could materially lift corn grind, crush margins, and rural jobs.
October 15, 2025 03:47 PM
·
China is not one of our top suppliers of cooking oil, according to USDA ERS data, but does export a lot of used cooking oil to the U.S. for biofuel production.
October 15, 2025 12:13 PM
·
Industry leaders say $11 billion in new investments could turn the tide as dairy producers face shrinking margins and growing uncertainty.
October 15, 2025 11:53 AM
·
