NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV) — Transportation costs for U.S. grain exports eased in the second quarter of 2025, lowering landed costs for most routes and boosting inspection volumes.
October rail freight costs for grain have dropped to their lowest level in six years as sluggish soybean export demand weighs on the market.
The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service reported that Gulf-route transportation costs fell 1 percent for both corn and soybeans compared to last year, with ocean freight down 24 percent. Quarter-to-quarter, costs dropped 18 percent for corn and 22 percent for soybeans thanks to cheaper trucking and the seasonal reopening of the Upper Mississippi River.
Corn inspections through the Gulf reached 10 million metric tons (394 million bushels), up 43 percent year-over-year, while soybean inspections totaled 2.9 million metric tons (mmt), or 106 million bushels, up 7 percent.
In the Pacific Northwest, transportation costs fell 7 percent for corn and 6 percent for soybeans from last year. Inspections there rose to 6.8 mmt (268 million bushels) of corn, up 26 percent, and 0.2 mmt (7 million bushels) of soybeans, up 222 percent.
Looking ahead, USDA projects U.S. corn exports in 2025/26 to climb 2 percent to 73.03 mmt (2.87 billion bushels), while soybean exports are expected to fall 9 percent to 46.40 mmt (1.70 billion bushels).
Analysts say China’s absence from U.S. corn and soybean purchases remains a key uncertainty even as Mexico, Japan, and South Korea continue to anchor demand.
Tony’s Farm-Level Takeaway: Cheaper freight is helping exports move, especially corn, but weaker soybean demand looms large. Farmers should watch Gulf and PNW flows closely as transportation and trade dynamics set the tone for the new marketing year.
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study from the University of California shows E-15 provides more emissions reductions compared to other blends of gasoline on the market.
RFD-TV’s own Tammi Arender was down on Broadway covering all the action at CMA Fest when she stumbled upon some apple farmers from North-Central Washington selling a new, must-try apple variety.
In today’s Performance Through Partnership feature, brought to you by Golden Harvest, we meet farmer Kevin Siffring of Surprise, Nebraska.
Chris Weaver, a sixth generation farmer in Finksburg, Maryland, talks about his successful relationship with his partners on the Golden Harvest Agronomy Team for his soybean and corn operation.
According to surveys by the University of Georgia in 2015, feral hogs caused approximately $100 million in agricultural damage just in that state. They continue to be a costly problem for rural communities across the state, reports Damon Jones of Georgia Farm Monitor.
Chaley Harney, Executive Director of the Montana Beef Council, and Jonna Jones, Director of Marketing for Wentana, LLC, say it’s a great time for both cattle producers and beef consumers to celebrate one of America’s favorite proteins.
Save this list to have on hand when you hit your local grocery store, farmerfarmers market, or CSA all season long!
March 06, 2023 08:26 AM
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February 22, 2023 10:45 AM
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