State Grain Rail Statistical Summary

Abstract

The rail industry is an integral part of the agricultural transportation system of the United States. For producers and shippers of bulk commodities, railroads are particularly important for the movement to end users, many of whom are located long distances from the farms. Information on rail shipments from States to regions across the nation, defined as Business Economic Areas, has been aggregated in this report. State rail receipts by origin State, or where shipments originated, has also been collected. Each State that received or shipped a substantial amount of at least one of three major crops (corn, soybeans, and wheat) by rail has been described in this report by its characteristics. A State level breakdown of rail shipments, rail receipts, grain and oilseed production, animal and poultry production, grain and oilseed exports, and grain and oilseed rail rates per ton-mile have been included. This information can help to explain the variations in shipments and shipment size of these commodities. A summary of grain movement in the United States is included, as are descriptions of grain movements in the 30 States that ship substantial amounts of grain.