Feed & Grain Staff

Ocean freight rates for bulk commodities surge above year-ago levels despite seasonal trends

First quarter 2026 rates climbed on Pacific Northwest routes while Gulf routes declined, driven by strong grain demand and rising fuel costs.

Illuminated cargo ship docked at port terminal at night with glowing container cranes

Barchart launches AI assistant Carl for commodity trading platform

The artificial intelligence tool integrates directly into cmdtyView to accelerate price discovery and market research for global traders across grains, energy and metals markets.

CSX reports strong first quarter earnings with 20% jump in operating income

Railroad company posts $1.25 billion in operating income as volume growth and pricing improvements drive financial performance despite coal export challenges.

Grain Trade & Export

US corn shipments surge while wheat sales decline

Strong corn demand from Mexico and Asia drives export volumes higher, while wheat and rice sales face headwinds in key international markets.

Industrial port with silhouetted cranes at sunset over calm water with golden sky reflection

Drought expands across Southeast as conditions worsen nationwide

While some areas received heavy rainfall, most of the country experienced drought expansion and intensification during the week ending April 21.

Young corn seedlings emerging from dry, cracked soil showing early-stage crop growth

Barged grain movements surge 53 percent from last year

Rail carloads decline slightly while export sales show mixed results for the week ending April 18.

Aerial view of a red and blue cargo barge loaded with sand or grain, moored on murky green water

Grain Facility Renovations & Builds

Cargill opens canola processing facility in Regina, Saskatchewan

The new plant can process 1 million metric tonnes annually, creating jobs and expanding market access for Western Canadian farmers.

Large industrial manufacturing facility with processing equipment, storage tanks, and structures under clear blue sky

Fire crews extinguish grain bin blaze at La Crosse Milling Company

Multiple fire departments responded to contain a fire inside a silo containing 100 tons of oats.

Red and white fire truck with hexagonal grille and emergency lights parked in garage

Business & Markets

Barge spills 3,500 gallons of crude corn oil into Mississippi River

Emergency crews deploy containment booms as Clean Harbors takes over cleanup operations at ADM facility.

Yellow mooring bollard on a sandy beach with calm turquoise sea and blue sky in the background

Mergers & Acquisitions

MFA Incorporated acquires four ADM grain elevators while selling seed facility to Beck’s

The Missouri cooperative expands grain origination capacity by 6 million bushels as it restructures seed processing operations.

BinMaster promotes Scott Hudson to chief executive officer

The Nebraska-based sensor technology company elevates decade-long leader following strategic growth and tornado recovery efforts.

Railinc Corp promotes 20-year veteran Joan Smemoe to president role

Joan Smemoe will assume day-to-day operations while current CEO Allen West transitions to retirement in July.

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