Transportation: Page 6

Grain Supply Chain

Wheat shipping costs rise via Pacific routes

Transportation expenses climb for Pacific Northwest routes while Gulf costs decline in first quarter 2026.

Grain pouring from agricultural auger chute against clear blue sky during harvest

Brand Insights

Thermal Performance and Gearbox Selection for Grain Handling Applications

SEW-EURODRIVE, Inc.

SEW-EURODRIVE’s Austin Burdette discusses heat challenges in grain handling gearboxes and how proper thermal management can reduce downtime and extend equipment life.

Thermal Performance and Gearbox Selection for Grain Handling Applications

Grain carloads dip slightly; barge and ocean shipments steady

Rail grain carloads fall 1% week-over-week while barge and vessel movements show mixed trends.

Close-up view of railroad tracks converging toward the horizon with metal rails and bolts

STB accepts revised Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger filing

Board seeks additional information before moving forward with major rail merger.

Grain Trade & Export

Grain transport costs to Mexico rise in Q1

First-quarter landed costs increase despite steady export volumes as weather disrupts barge operations.

Industrial port facility with loading cranes, grain silos, and cargo vessel docked at waterfront under cloudy sky

Barge grain movements jump 14% in latest week

Grain carloads dip, barge movements rise, and export sales surge in latest USDA report.

Industrial riverside facility with yellow forklift, conveyor systems, and cargo vessel on river

Grain Trade & Export

Rail rates rise as wheat harvest shrinks 36%

BNSF and Union Pacific adjust freight tariffs amid projected smallest hard red winter wheat crop in nearly 70 years.

Railroad tracks converging into the distance with wooden ties and metal rails

Grain Trade & Export

Wheat sales jump 70%, corn drops 50% for first week in May

Wheat sales surge 70% while corn and soybean transactions decline from previous week.

Cargo vessel docked at industrial grain terminal with white silos and red warehouse buildings along waterway

Grain rail carloads increase 17% from last year

Barge movements declined 14% while ocean shipping showed strength with vessel loadings up 32% in the Gulf.

Red and white freight locomotive pulling cargo cars across desert plains with utility poles

Business & Markets

Rail rivals come out against UP-NS merger resubmission

CN, CPKC and BNSF say amended application still fails to meet regulatory requirements for massive freight rail consolidation.

Stacked shipping containers on a freight train car with orange, yellow, and red containers under clear sky

Grain transportation demand strong despite fuel costs

Record grain supplies and export demand keep transportation volumes high despite rising fuel prices.

Aerial view of a red and blue cargo barge loaded with sand or grain on greenish water

Grain rail traffic dips as fuel costs surge

Rail carloads fell 3% while diesel prices jumped nearly 29 cents to hit $5.64 per gallon, according to the latest federal transportation data.

Close-up perspective view of weathered railroad tracks extending into the distance with wooden ties and metal rails.

Weskan Grain challenges K&O Railroad over grain shipping barriers

A Kansas grain shipper’s legal fight with its rail carrier could reshape access and rates for High Plains agriculture.

Railroad tracks converging into the distance with rusty bolts and wooden ties

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