U.S. Department of Agriculture

Biden to investigate transportation supply/demand ‘mismatches’

The Biden administration plans to investigate transportation supply-demand imbalances in response to a 100-day review of four key product supply chains.

The White House issued a report on Tuesday following the review that began earlier this year in which the administration assessed vulnerabilities for semiconductor manufacturing and advanced packaging, large capacity batteries such as those used in electric vehicles, critical minerals and materials, and pharmaceuticals and advanced...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/biden-to-investigate-transportation-supply-demand-mismatches

USDA shares forecasts for grain and farm exports

A photograph of a train with hoppers. The train is crossing a desert-like landscape.

U.S. grain volumes have been a bright spot for the railroads, with higher volumes reflecting export demand.

Indeed, grain carloads were up 23.2% year-to-date to 509,364 as of last Saturday, according to the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

Since September, grain rail carloads have consistently been above the levels of recent years. Due to high prices, plantings of corn and other crops have been above historical norms. (Source: SONAR)
To learn more about FreightWaves SONAR, click here.

But...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/usda-shares-forecasts-for-grain-and-farm-exports

Ag industry’s letter to Buttigieg urges immediate action on export problem

The U.S. agriculture industry is pressuring the Department of Transportation for immediate intervention in foreign-owned carriers’ denial of U.S. ag exports in favor of sending back empty containers to be filled with Chinese exports. 

In a letter sent to Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Monday that was shared with American Shipper, almost 300 agriculture and forest product companies demanded the secretary intervene to protect U.S. exporters. 

“We are hopeful the secretary will act upon this urgent...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/ag-industrys-letter-to-buttigieg-urges-immediate-action-on-export-problem

More wheat to go west this spring: USDA

A photograph of a wheat field.

Changing volume projections for U.S. wheat exports could be reflected in freight flows this spring, with more volumes going toward the western ports and fewer volumes going to the Gulf Coast, according to recent reports from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

USDA’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE), a monthly report that estimates the production, storage and export volumes of various agricultural commodities, adjusted its projections for U.S. soft white wheat...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/more-wheat-to-go-west-this-spring-usda

The fourth quarter looks busy for barged grain

Grain barges tied up to a pier near the Port of New Orleans. USDA photo/ Anson Eaglin.

Through Dec. 12, fourth-quarter barge grain volumes have surpassed one million tons for five weeks in 2020, compared to only one week in 2019 and none in 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. As of Dec. 12, year-to-date barge grain shipments were 37.3 million tons, 32% higher than the same time in 2019.

High barge grain volumes in 2020 are due to unusually high demand from the international export market and an unusually swift harvest this year, the USDA said. From early...

https://www.workboat.com/news/coastal-inland-waterways/the-fourth-quarter-looks-busy-for-barged-grain/

Blockchain could soon protect drivers hauling hemp

The White House is reviewing a draft final rule on hemp production which may consider using blockchain technology to help protect drivers from being wrongfully arrested when hauling legal hemp across state lines.

Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT), Envision Blockchain Solutions LLC and Blockchain Agricultural Solutions Inc. are partnering on an effort that would use blockchain to provide real-time, shared information to law enforcement to not only avoid driver arrests but also the unlawful seizure...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/blockchain-could-soon-protect-drivers-hauling-hemp

FMCSA clears up work rules for ag and livestock haulers

The Trump administration has issued a final rule aimed at making it easier for agricultural commodity and livestock drivers to comply with conflicting work-rule regulations.

The rule, which goes into effect 15 days after publication in the Federal Register, was issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), in consultation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

“Our nation’s farmers and agriculture haulers will...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/fmcsa-clears-up-work-rules-for-ag-and-livestock-haulers

When pigs fly

St. Louis International Airport

St. Louis Lambert International Airport celebrated the departure of a special export cargo this week: 200 breeding hogs destined for Sao Paulo.

The hogs were shipped on board an Atlas Air 747-400 freighter on Wednesday from the Midwestern airport to Sao Paulo’s Viracopos International Airport. The shipment marked the airport’s first attempt at conducting a large livestock shipment.

Seven years ago, the St. Louis airport authority began developing its program to transport U.S. livestock shipments...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/when-pigs-fly

National Waterways Foundation releases waterway profiles for 17 states

Earlier this year, the National Waterways Foundation (NWF) commissioned Cambridge Systematics Inc. (CSI) to research and create inland waterways state profiles using the National IMPLAN economic model to estimate the economic impacts of each state’s inland waterways system.

The analysis included an evaluation of current economic and commodity flow information, inland waterways and waterways-dependent industries, top commodities, and the industries that most benefit from the inland waterways in...

https://www.workboat.com/news/coastal-inland-waterways/national-waterways-foundation-releases-waterway-profiles-for-17-states/

Accidents cause brief delays to Mississippi River barge traffic

Tows wait to lock through at Melvin Price Locks and Dam. Photo courtesy of the Waterways Council

Two separate incidents last week caused delays for barge tows along the Mississippi River. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said the incidents affected grain barge traffic in both directions and the delays continued into this week.

On Aug. 12, a tug being towed by another vessel sunk at upper Mississippi River mile 43 near Thebes, Ill. Because of little clearance over the vessel, navigation through the area was restricted, the USDA said. On Aug. 16, a salvage operation lifted the wreck and...

https://www.workboat.com/news/coastal-inland-waterways/accidents-cause-brief-delays-to-mississippi-river-barge-traffic/

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