NASHVILLE, TN – USDA’s August Crop report projects U.S. farmers will harvest a record 16.7 billion bushels of corn in 2025/26, topping the previous record by 1.4 billion. Alongside the crop, exports are also forecast at a record 2.9 billion bushels—driving heavy demand across rail, barge, truck, and ocean freight systems.
Rail faces notable pressure, particularly on Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s network. In early August, grain cars delayed over 48 hours accounted for 68% of the national total, with train speeds averaging 29% slower than the Class I average. Origin dwell times were also more than 70% higher. Canadian National Railway has announced higher rail rates to Gulf export terminals this fall, with November rates equivalent to about $27.13 per ton—just under the Illinois River barge rate of $29.14.
Barges moved 852,550 tons of grain the week ending August 9, up 10% from the prior week, while 29 oceangoing grain vessels were loaded at Gulf ports—45% more than last year. Trucking, particularly short-haul movements to elevators and river terminals, is expected to remain critical, with diesel prices easing slightly to $3.75 per gallon in mid-August.