Agriculture

USDA Announces $8 Billion in Farm Aid as Rising Fuel Costs Pressure American Agriculture

New Harvest Fuel Relief program aims to help farmers manage higher operating expenses during the 2026 harvest season, highlighting challenges across the agricultural supply chain. American farmers are facing another challenging harvest season as rising diesel prices, increased production expenses, and fluctuating commodity markets continue to put pressure on agricultural operations across the country. On […]

New Wisconsin Soybean Plant Will Put More Agricultural Products—and More Pressure—on the Rails

The U.S. soybean market is adding domestic processing capacity—and every new plant changes more than the crush numbers. It creates a new destination for farmers, a new source of meal and oil for customers, and a new set of demands on the transportation network that connects them. CHS’s newly announced project near Evansville, Wisconsin, is […]

What Do the Farm Bill, Regenerative Agriculture and Shaquille O’Neal Have in Common?

At first glance, absolutely nothing. One is a massive piece of federal agricultural legislation. One is an approach to farming centered on soil health, water management and long-term productivity. And one is a 7-foot-1 NBA legend who apparently likes to mix multiple cereals together in an enormous bowl to create what he calls a “cereal […]

The Farm Bill Is Getting Closer. What Could It Mean for Corn and Ethanol?

American agriculture has been waiting a long time for a new Farm Bill. And while the finish line still isn’t here, there has been real movement in Washington. The Senate Agriculture Committee released its Agricultural Act of 2026 — commonly called Farm Bill 2.0 this summer, describing an updated Farm Bill as “long-overdue.” That’s not […]

Happy Birthday, America: Celebrating 250 Years of Independence

This Fourth of July is unlike any other. In 2026, the United States celebrates its 250th birthday—a remarkable milestone that marks two and a half centuries of independence, innovation, resilience, and opportunity. At Control Chief, we’re proud to celebrate that milestone as an American manufacturer. For the past 55 years, we’ve been designing and building […]

Grain Is Moving—But the Transportation Network Is Feeling the Strain

The U.S. grain industry is experiencing a transportation paradox in 2026. Grain demand remains strong, exports are healthy, and railroads, barges, and ports continue moving large volumes. Yet across the supply chain, transportation costs are climbing and bottlenecks are becoming increasingly difficult to manage. For grain handlers, elevators, processors, and exporters, the challenge is no […]

USDA Data, Farm Intelligence, and Market Uncertainty: What Grain Producers Need to Know

Grain markets opened lower this morning following a major report from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). While acreage estimates, stock levels, and global influences all played a role, the bigger story isn’t just the numbers—it’s the growing uncertainty behind them. Watch the Full Market Breakdown Below is the full video discussion that breaks down today’s […]

Are Grain Markets Entering a Bull Cycle? Fertilizer, Energy, and Market Pressure Are Building

Grain markets may be on the edge of something bigger. Between rising fertilizer costs, global energy disruptions, and shifting market structures, analysts are starting to talk about a potential agricultural bull cycle—one that could reshape pricing, planting decisions, and grain movement over the next year. This also builds on the same broader pressure we covered […]

What the Strait of Hormuz Disruption Could Mean for Grain Operators

The grain markets are watching the Middle East for a reason. In several recent market updates, Standard Grain has been pointing to the same underlying issue: when war disrupts energy and fertilizer flows, the effects do not stay overseas for long. They start showing up in fuel, fertilizer, acreage decisions, grain pricing, and eventually in […]

Ultimate Unofficial Guide to the ASLRRA Annual Conference & Exhibition 2026

Every year, the short line and regional railroad industry converges in one place to learn, connect, and shape the future of regional railroading. That place is the ASLRRA Annual Conference & Exhibition, hosted by the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association. If you’re attending in 2026 — whether as a railroader, supplier, exhibitor, or […]

USDA Announces $8 Billion in Farm Aid as Rising Fuel Costs Pressure American Agriculture

New Wisconsin Soybean Plant Will Put More Agricultural Products—and More Pressure—on the Rails

What Do the Farm Bill, Regenerative Agriculture and Shaquille O’Neal Have in Common?

The Farm Bill Is Getting Closer. What Could It Mean for Corn and Ethanol?

Happy Birthday, America: Celebrating 250 Years of Independence

Grain Is Moving—But the Transportation Network Is Feeling the Strain

USDA Data, Farm Intelligence, and Market Uncertainty: What Grain Producers Need to Know

Are Grain Markets Entering a Bull Cycle? Fertilizer, Energy, and Market Pressure Are Building

What the Strait of Hormuz Disruption Could Mean for Grain Operators

Ultimate Unofficial Guide to the ASLRRA Annual Conference & Exhibition 2026

Drew Smith

Jim Hanson

Rebekah Waters

Christian Maynard

Mark Childs

Jim Hanson

Dave Tenney