GLOSSARY OF TERMS 

Return to top 

Transportation Services Branch 

Grain Transportation Report 

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z 

 1976 Benchmark Tariff Rates—The grain industry uses weekly barge rate quotes for 

southbound freight, based on the of the 1976 benchmark tariff rates per short ton at 7 locations 

on the inland waterway system. To calculate the barge rate per short ton, multiply the rate 

quote by the 1976 benchmark tariff rate per short ton for a point on the inland waterway 

system and divide by 100. Example: $3.99 (St. Louis 1976 benchmark tariff rate) times 200 

percent (a sample rate quote), divided by 100 equals $7.98 per short ton. The 1976 benchmark 

tariff rates are from the Bulk Grain and Grain Products Freight Tariff No. 7, issued by the 

Waterways Freight Bureau (WFB) of the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC). In 1976, 

the United States Department of Justice entered into an agreement with the ICC and made 

Tariff No. 7 no longer applicable, but the industry continues to use the 1976 tariff rates as a 

benchmark. The WFB no longer exists and the ICC has become the Surface Transportation 

Board of the United States Department of Transportation. 

 30-day to Arrive—Bids for grain for 30-day delivery to U.S. export ports in dollars per bushel. 

Also known as export bid. 

 AAR—Association of American Railroads 

 Arkansas River Lock and Dam 1— Located in Tichnor, AR at mile 10 on the Arkansas River. 

This is a single chamber lock that is 600 ft. by 110 ft. in dimension (also called Norrell Lock). 

 Atlantic—A grain export region that includes export elevators in Brunswick, GA, Albany, NY, 

and Chesapeake, VA. 

 Auxiliary Lock—The smaller chamber of a double lock that transfer vessels from one water 

level to another water level. The advantage of this two-lock facility is that both chambers can 

be working at the same time, and more importantly while one chamber is closed for repairs, the 

other chamber can handle the traffic. See Main Chamber Lock. 

 Barge—A general name given to flat-bottomed, rigged or unrigged, craft of full body and 

heavy construction, specially adapted for the transportation of bulk freight such as grain, 

ethanol, fertilizer, coal, lumber, oil etc. A barge load of grain, as a unit of measure is 52,500 

bushels, or 1,500 short tons, equivalent to 15 jumbo hopper railcars or 58 large grain hopper 

semi-trailers. A jumbo covered hopper barge is the type of barge most frequently used for 

moving grain on the rivers. 
 

 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS 

Return to top 

Transportation Services Branch 

Grain Transportation Report 

 Barge Grain Movements and YTD—USDA's weekly recording of grain tonnage moving 

through the following strategically located locks: Arkansas Lock and Dam 1 (Norrell Lock), 

Ohio River Locks 52, Mississippi River Locks 15, 25, 26 (Melvin Price Locks) and 27. The 

year-to-date (YTD) figure is the accumulation of barge grain movements through the 

Mississippi River Lock 27, Arkansas Lock and Dam 1, and Ohio River Locks and Dam 52. 

 Barge Rate Index—A percent of tariff used for southbound barge freight, based on the 1976 

benchmark tariff rates per short ton for seven locations on the inland waterway system. 

 Barge Rate Quote—A barge freight rate as a percent of the 1976 benchmark tariff rate offered 

to move grain from a specific origin to a specific destination. On the Mississippi River system, 

the destination is usually not specified and refers to the area between Baton Rouge and New 

Orleans, LA. 

 Barges Unloaded—The number of barges of grain unloaded in the area between Baton Rouge 

New Orleans, LA. 

 Basis—The difference between the current spot price (or cash price) of a commodity and the 

price of the nearest futures contract for the same or a related commodity. Basis is usually 

computed in relation to the futures contract next to expire. 

 Bid—Price offered by a buyer or seller for a commodity or service. Also referred to as an 

Offer. 

 BNSF—Previously known as Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company. 

 Bushel—A unit of measure containing 2,150.42 cubic inches, 56 pounds of corn, or 60 pounds 

of wheat or soybeans. 

 Cairo—Memphis 1976 Benchmark Tariff Rate – The 1976 benchmark tariff rate is $3.14 per 

short ton and includes origins in Birds Point, Linda, and New Madrid, MO; Hickman, KY; and 

Cairo, IL. 

 Cash price—The price in the marketplace for actual cash or spot commodities to be delivered 

via customary market channels. 

 Capesize—80,000 to 172,000 deadweight ton vessels too large to transit the Suez and Panama 

Canals. 

 Chain of Rocks Locks—Located in Granite City, IL at mile 186 on the Upper Mississippi 

River. This double lock includes a 1200 ft. by 110 ft. main lock chamber and 600 ft. by 110 ft. 

auxiliary lock (also called Mississippi River Locks 27). 

 Cincinnati 1976 Benchmark Tariff Rate—The 1976 benchmark rate is $4.69 per short ton 

and is for Cincinnati, OH. 
 

 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS 

Return to top 

Transportation Services Branch 

Grain Transportation Report 

 Class I Railroad—A freight railroad with annual gross operating revenues of $319.3 million or 

more. 

 CN—Canadian National Railway 

 Commodities Futures—Contracted price to purchase/sell commodities at a given rate and to 

be delivered at some point in the future. 

 Container—An intermodal uniform, sealed, reusable metal “box” (generally 40 feet in length, 

able to hold about 40,000 pounds) in which merchandise can be moved by either, rail, barge, 

truck or vessel. The use of containers (or containerization) in trade is generally thought to 

require less labor and reduce losses due to breakage, spoilage, and pilferage, compared to more 

traditional methods of shipment. Containers come in 53, 48, 45, 40 and 20 foot lengths, and 

are anywhere between 8, 8.5, 9 and 9.5 feet in height. Width is eight foot. 

 Container Load—A load sufficient in size to fill a container either by cubic measurement or 

by weight. 

 Containerizable Cargo—Cargo that will fit into a container and result in an economical 

shipment. 

 Containerization—Stowage of cargo in a container for transport in the various modes. See 

Container. 

 Contract Rate—Rate and services that are specified in a shipper’s contract. A service 

premium and penalty may be assessed for non--performance by either the shipper or carrier. 

 Corn—Corn varieties include: U.S. No. 1-5 and Sample Grade, Yellow, White, and Mixed 

Corn as defined by USDA's Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration. 

 Corn #1—The highest grade of corn, distinguished by the highest minimum test weight, lowest 

moisture and foreign material, and the fewest damaged kernels. Marketed primarily as food. 

 Corn #2—Most frequently traded of all grades (about 60 percent of all corn sold), and the 

grade on which the traded price is based. It is used primarily for animal feed. Grades 3, 4, 5, 

and Sample are lower grades than #2. Sample Grade is the lowest grade available. 

 COT (Certificate of Transportation)—BNSF Railway’s program for offering guaranteed 

delivery of rail cars during specific periods. 

 CP—Canadian Pacific Railway 

 Crop year (CY)—Year in which a crop is harvested, as opposed to a marketing year, which 

refers to the 12-month period following harvest. See marketing year (MY). 
 

 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS 

Return to top 

Transportation Services Branch 

Grain Transportation Report 

 Cross-border—Refers to land based movements of grain from the United States to Mexico or 

Canada. 

 CSXT—CSX Transportation 

 Cumulative Exports (shipped)—Quantity of grain shipped as reported in the FAS Weekly 

Export Sales Report. 

 CWAD—Canada western amber durum wheat. See Wheat. 

 CWRS—Canada western red spring wheat. See Wheat. 

 Deadweight Capacity—Capacity in metric tons is determined by deducting from total 

deadweight the weight of fuel, water, stores, dunnage, crew, passengers, and other items 

necessary for use on a voyage. 

 Deadweight Cargo—Cargo which measures one cubic meter or less per metric ton. Also 

known as weight cargo. 

 Double Lock—See Lock. 

 Dry Cargo—Cargo, packed or unpacked, carried in non-liquid bulk form which normally does 

not require temperature control. 

 Dry Bulk Container—A container constructed to carry grain, powder and other free-flowing 

solids in bulk. 

 DUR—Durum wheat 

 Durum (DUR)—A spring-seeded wheat that is very hard, a high-protein wheat used to make 

pasta products. See Wheat. 

 dwt (deadweight tons)—The carrying capacity of a ship in metric tons, including the weight of 

fuel and stores as well as the cargo. The cargo capacity of a ship is generally estimated as 95 

percent of deadweight capacity for large tankers and 85 percent of deadweight capacity for dry 

cargo container ships. 

 East Gulf—A grain export region, which includes the export elevator in Mobile, AL. 

 EIA—Energy Information Administration 

 Elevator Bid—The inland bid for grain delivered to the grain elevator. 

 Export Bid— Bid for grain for 30-day delivery to a U.S. export port in dollars per bushel. Also 

known as 30-day to arrive. 
 

 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS 

Return to top 

Transportation Services Branch 

Grain Transportation Report 

 Export Sales Report—A weekly FAS report that provides reported sales by private U.S. 

exporters for select agricultural commodities. 

 Exports—Goods produced in one country and sold and shipped to another country.

 FAS—Foreign Agricultural Service, a USDA agency that is responsible for collecting, 

analyzing, and disseminating information about global supply and demand, trade trends, and 

market opportunities. FAS seeks improved market access for U.S. products; administers export 

financing and market development programs; provides export services; carries out food aid and 

market-related technical assistance programs; and provides linkages to world resources and 

international organizations. 

 FEU (40-foot-equivalent unit) —A 40-foot container. 

 FOB (Free On Board)—A term of sale meaning that the shipper will pay all costs to deliver 

and load the cargo at a specified place, usually a ship, and then the receiver pays the costs from 

there on—normally the ocean freight and all subsequent costs of unloading and delivery. The 

term is sometimes used for delivery to a truck or rail car. 

 Farm Value—The average price received by agricultural producers in a particular state for a 

specified crop. These values are obtained from Agricultural Prices, which is published by 

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. 

 Fuel Surcharge—Surcharge imposed by carriers when fuel prices reach certain levels. 

 Futures contract — A standardized agreement calling for deferred delivery of a commodity, or 

its equivalent, entered through organized futures exchanges. Most agricultural futures contracts 

(except feeder cattle) call for physical delivery, but are usually liquidated before delivery. 

 Futures Freight Rate—Contracted dollar value to purchase transportation services at a given 

rate and to be delivered at some point in the future. 

 Futures—See Commodities Futures 

 GCAS (Grain Car Allocation System)—Union Pacific’s program for offering guaranteed 

delivery of rail cars during specific periods. 

 GF—Guaranteed-Freight 

 GIPSA—Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, a USDA agency that is 

responsible for facilitating the marketing of livestock, poultry, meat, cereals, oilseeds, and 

related agricultural products. It also promotes fair and competitive trading practices for the 

overall benefit of consumers and American agriculture. GIPSA ensures open and competitive 

markets for livestock, poultry, and meat by investigating and monitoring industry trade 

practices. 
 

 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS 

Return to top 

Transportation Services Branch 

Grain Transportation Report 

 Grain Export Regions—Pacific Northwest, Mississippi River, Texas Gulf, East Gulf, Great 

Lakes, and Atlantic. 

 Grain Inspections for Export—Grain that has been sold, and is inspected as it is being loaded 

at export locations for shipment overseas. 

 Grain Transport Cost Indicator—Used to compare truck, rail, barge, and ocean weekly 

indicators with the baseline year which is equal to 100.

 Grain—Unspecified type of grain (may include soybeans, sorghum, corn, wheat, etc.). 

 Great Lakes—A grain export region that includes U.S. export elevators in Duluth, MN; 

Milwaukee and Superior, WI; Chicago, IL; Portage, IN; Huron, Maumee, and Toledo, OH. The 

region also includes Canadian elevators in Windsor, in the Province of Ontario; and Baie 

Comeau, Montreal, Port-Cartier, Quebec City, Sorel-Tracey, Trois Riveieres, in the Province of 

Quebec. 

 Guaranteed Freight—A bid for delivery of a unit train of empty railcars during a specific 

period for BNSF. 

 Guaranteed Pool—A bid for delivery of a unit train of empty railcars during a specific period 

for Union Pacific. 

 Handymax Vessel—35,000 to 50,000 dwt. See Vessel Sizes. 

 Handysize Vessel—10,000 to 35,000 dwt. See Vessel Sizes. 

 Hard Red Spring Wheat (HRS)—A common spring-seeded wheat high in protein and used 

primarily to produce bread and blending with lower protein wheat. See Wheat. 

 Hard Red Winter Wheat (HRW)—A common fall-seeded wheat that may be either dark hard 

or yellow hard; medium to high-protein wheat used primarily to produce bread flour. See 

Wheat. 

 Heavy Grain—Soybeans, corn, and sorghum. 

 High-Capacity—A term for a railroad grain car in which up to 112 tons of grain can be loaded. 

 HRS—See Hard Red Spring wheat 

 HRW—See Hard Red Winter wheat 

 Illinois Barge 1976 Benchmark Tariff Rate—The 1976 benchmark tariff rate is $4.64 per 

short ton and includes Beardstown, Florence, Hardin, Havana, and Meredosia, IL. 
 

 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS 

Return to top 

Transportation Services Branch 

Grain Transportation Report 

 Illinois River Lock 8—Located in Versailles, IL at mile 80 on the Illinois River. This is a 

single chamber lock that is 600 ft by 110 ft in dimension (also called LaGrange Lock). 

 Inland Bids—A bid for grain that is not for export, but for domestic use. 

 Jones Act—The term refers to several U.S. laws that govern the domestic transportation of 

merchandise and passengers by water. Strictly speaking, it applies only to Section 27 of the 

Merchant Marine of 1920 [46 U.S.C. 883; 19 CFR 4.80 and 4.80(b)] which has come to bear 

the name of its sponsor, Senator Wesley L. Jones. Section 27 provides that merchandise 

transported entirely or partly by water between U.S. points—either directly or via a foreign 

point—must travel in U.S.-built, U.S.-citizen owned and operated U.S.-flag vessels that are 

U.S.-documented by the Coast Guard for such carriage. 

 Jumbo Covered Hopper Barge—Type of barge most frequently used for moving grain on the 

rivers. Older barges held 52,500 bushels, but some newer barges have larger capacities. 

 Jumbo Hopper Car—A rail car with a 3,500-bushel capacity, and a 100 ton grain capacity. 

 KCS—Kansas City Southern Railway Company 

 LaGrange Lock—Located in Versailles, IL, at mile 80 on the Illinois River. This is a 600 ft 

by 110 ft single lock chamber (also called Illinois River Lock 8). 

 Landed Cost—The farm value of a commodity plus the cost of transportation from the farm to 

the final destination point. The transportation cost includes trucking, rail, barge, and ocean 

freight rates. 

 Lock—A structure on the river that facilitates the transfer of vessels from one water level to 

another water level. There are two lock configurations - a single lock or a double lock. The 

latter can be defined as the main lock and an auxiliary lock. 

 Long Ton—A measure of weight equal to 2,240 pounds or 1,016 kilograms; used to measure 

petroleum products. See also metric ton and short ton. 

 Low-Capacity—A term for a railroad grain car in which up to 100 tons of grain can be loaded. 

 Lower Ohio 1976 Benchmark Tariff Rate—The 1976 benchmark tariff rate is $4.46 per short 

ton and is for Louisville, KY. 

 Main Lock—The larger chamber of a double lock that transfers vessels from one water level to 

another water level. The advantage of this double lock facility is that both chambers can be 

working at the same time, and more importantly, while one chamber is closed for repairs, the 

other chamber can handle the traffic. See Auxiliary Lock Chamber. 
 

 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS 

Return to top 

Transportation Services Branch 

Grain Transportation Report 

 Marketing Year (MY)—The 12-month period beginning just after the harvest during which a 

commodity may be sold domestically, exported, or put into reserve stocks. Varies by country 

and commodity, and differs from crop year, which is the year in which a crop is harvested. The 

MY for corn and soybeans is September 1 to August 31. The MY for wheat is June 1 to May 

31. 

 mbu—million bushels 

 Measurement Cargo—Cargo on which transportation charges are calculated on the basis of 

volume per metric ton, since the cargo exceeds one cubic meter per metric ton. Freight 

generally will move on a weight cargo basis versus a measurement cargo basis. 

 Melvin Price Locks—Alton, IL at mile 201 on the Upper Mississippi River. This double lock 

has a 1,200 ft. by 110 ft. main lock chamber and a 600 ft. by 110 ft. auxiliary lock (also called 

Mississippi River Lock 26). 

 Metric Ton—A measure of weight equal to 2,204.6 pounds or 1,000 kilograms. There are 

39.3 bushels of corn per metric ton, and 36.7 bushels of soybeans or wheat per metric ton. See 

also long ton and short ton. 

 Mid-Miss Barge 1976 Benchmark Tariff Rate—The 1976 benchmark tariff rate is $5.32 per 

short ton and includes Albany, Keithsburg, New Boston, Rock Island, IL, and Clinton, 

Davenport, Muscatine, IA.

 FEU (40-foot-equivalent unit)—Commonly describes a 40-foot container. 

 Mississippi River—A grain export region that includes export elevators along the Mississippi 

River at Ama, Belle Chasse, Convent, Darrow, Destrehan, Paulina, Port Allen, Reserve, and 

Westwego, LA. 

 Mississippi River Lock 25—Located in Winfield, MO., at mile 242 on the Upper Mississippi 

River. This lock is a 600 ft. by 110 ft. single lock chamber. 

 Mississippi River Lock 26— Alton, IL. at mile 201 on the Upper Mississippi River. This is a 

double lock with a 1,200 ft. by 110 ft. main lock chamber and a 600 ft. by 110 ft. auxiliary 

(also called Melvin Price Locks). 

 Mississippi River Lock 27—Located in Granite City, IL. at mile 186 on the Upper Mississippi 

River. This is a double lock with a 1,200 ft. by 110 ft. main lock chamber and a 600 ft. by 110 

ft. auxiliary (also called Chain of Rocks Locks). 

 Mississippi River Locks 15—Located in Rock Island, IL. at mile 482 on the Upper Mississippi 

River. This is a double lock with a 600 ft. by 110 ft. main lock chamber and a 360 ft. by 110 ft. 

auxiliary lock chamber. 
 

 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS 

Return to top 

Transportation Services Branch 

Grain Transportation Report 

 Mixed Soybeans—These soybeans do not meet the requirements for a yellow. See Soybeans. 

 mmt—million metric tons 

 mt—metric tons 

 n/a—not available 

 NASS—National Agricultural Statistical Service, a USDA agency responsible for conducting 

monthly and annual surveys and preparing official USDA data and estimates of production, 

supply, prices, and other information necessary to maintain orderly agricultural operations. 

NASS also conducts the census of agriculture which is currently conducted every 5 years. 

 No Bid (demand side)—A situation in which the supply of rail cars is so great relative to the 

demand for guaranteed delivery that shippers believe rail cars may be obtained without paying a 

premium, so they do not bid at auctions. 

 No Offer (supply side)—A situation in which rail service problems results from guaranteed 

rail cars not being available for a delivery period, or guaranteed rail cars have already been sold 

out at previous auctions. 

 Non-shuttle—Railroad movements consisting of single-car shipments of less than 25 grain cars 

or shipments of unit train size. 

 Norrell Lock—Located in Tichnor, AR., at mile 10 on the Arkansas River. This lock is a 600 

ft. by 110 ft. single lock chamber (also called Arkansas River Lock and Dam 1). 

 nq—no quote 

 NS—Norfolk Southern Railway 

 Offer—See Bid 

 Ohio River Locks 52—Located in Brookport, IL. at mile 939 on the Ohio River. This is a 

double lock with a 1,200 ft. by 110 ft. main lock chamber and a 600 ft. by 110 ft. auxiliary 

chamber. 

 op—option 

 Others—Barge grain category that refers to oats, barley, sorghum, and rye. 

 Outstanding Sales (unshipped) —Grain exports that have been reported to FAS as sold, but 

have not been shipped. 

 Panamax—50,000 to 80,000 dwt. See Vessels Sizes. 
 

 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS 

Return to top 

Transportation Services Branch 

Grain Transportation Report 

 PIERS—Port Import Export Reporting Service, product of the Journal of Commerce. PIERS 

provides waterborne shipments transaction level transportation data taken directly from the 

shippers bills of lading. Some of the data elements include U.S. ports, destination country, 

container indications, and shipping lines that moved the cargo. PIERS data is not to be used as 

trade data. For official trade data please refer to the Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. Trade 

Data, http://www.fas.usda.gov/ustrade/. 

 PNW (Pacific Northwest)—A grain export region that includes Portland, OR; Kalama, Seattle 

Tacoma, and Vancouver, WA; Stockton and West Sacramento, CA. 

 Pool—See Guaranteed-pool. 

 Pool Return Outlook (PRO)—The Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) monthly price Pool Return 

Outlook (PRO) for farmers provides forecasts of crop year returns (revenues) for various 

grades/classes of Canadian wheat, durum wheat, feed barley, and designated barley “in store in 

Vancouver or St. Lawrence”, in Canadian dollars per tonne (36.74371 bushels) and Canadian 

dollars per bushel. These commodities must be delivered to the CWB under the monopoly 

“single-desk” marketing system for 75,000 farmers who grow wheat, durum wheat, and barley 

in western Canada. Price pooling and single-desk selling by the CWB is intended to share risk 

and increase returns to farmers. Farmers receive initial payments and additional returns during 

the crop year based on the grade delivered, less marketing costs. 

 p—Preliminary data 

 Price Spread—The difference in price between two different locations using the same 

transportation mode. May also refer to the difference in price for ocean shipments from the 

U.S. Gulf to Japan and the Pacific Northwest region to Japan. Although U.S.Gulf to Japan rates 

are usually higher due to the greater distance, a comparison of the rates between these two 

origin points helps shippers to determine the most economical route. 

 Primary Market—A period when shippers bid for guaranteed delivery of empty grain cars for 

loading during a particular period from a railroad. 

 Protein Content—The usual percentage of protein for varieties of wheat. Wheat protein 

content affects the processing quality of wheat and price received by seller. 

 Rail Car Auction Offerings—Auction offering are for single-car and unit train shipments 

only. 

 Rail Car Auction—The primary market in which Class 1 Railroads offers rail cars to shippers 

for guaranteed delivery during a specific period. Shippers bid for the right to use these cars. 
 

 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS 

Return to top 

Transportation Services Branch 

Grain Transportation Report 

 Rail Deliveries to Port—The number of grain cars delivered to export ports for shipment to 

international markets. 

 Rail Rate—The rate provided to a shipper for shipment of a commodity by rail from origin to 

destination. Rail rates are dependent on the number of available cars and usually decrease 

(improve) as the number of cars increases. Shuttle train rates are lower than unit train rates, and 

unit train rates are lower than single car rates. 

 Railcar Loadings—The number of loaded railcars with grain at any location within the United 

States and Canada. Freight may be destined for domestic or international markets. 

 Railcar Origination—See Railcar Loadings. 

 Region 1 (UP rail only)—AR, IL, LA, MO, NM, OK, TX, WI and Duluth, MN 

 Region 2 (UP rail only)—CO, IA, KS, MN, NE, WY, and Kansas City and St. Joseph, MO. 

 Regional Railroad—A line haul railroad operating at least 350 route miles and or with annual 

operating revenue between $40 and $319 million. 

 r—Revised data 

 Secondary Rail Market—The secondary market where shippers trade the rights to guaranteed 

delivery of rail cars from a specific railroad for specific delivery periods. These rights to the 

delivery of guaranteed railcars consist of rail cars that were purchased in the primary market or 

as a result of a contract guaranteeing delivery of railcars in return for placing privately owned 

rail cars in the railroad’s car fleet. 

 Shipper—The supplier or owner of commodities named in a contract as the one from whom 

the goods have been received for shipment. 

 Short Line Railroad—A railroad company having freight revenues less than $25.5 million. In 

common usage, it may also include regional railroads, which have freight revenues less than 

$319 million.

 Short Ton—A measure of weight equal to 2,000 pounds, or 907 kilograms used in to measure 

barge capacity. The tonnage figures provided throughout the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 

Waterborne Commerce of the United States, WCUS, Parts 1-5 represent short tons. See also 

long ton and metric ton. 

 Shuttle Train—A train that operates on a regular route, often serving one shipper and one 

receiver and fulfilling loading and unloading efficiency requirements. A shuttle train is usually 

comprised of more than 100 rail cars, which are not disassembled anywhere en route and does 

not make any stops, meeting railroad efficiency requirements. Because the train is never split, 

and does not make stops, it is the most efficient form of rail movement. 
 

 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS 

Return to top 

Transportation Services Branch 

Grain Transportation Report 

 Single Lock—A lock that only has one transfer chamber for vessel or vessels from one water 

level to another water level. 

 Single-Car Bids—A railcar bid for guaranteed delivery of 1 to 24 empty grain cars for loading 

during a particular period. 

 Soft Red Wheat (SRW)—A common fall-seeded wheat, low to medium protein, used 

primarily for making cakes and other pastries. See Wheat. 

 Soft White Wheat (SWW)—All soft white wheat varieties consisting of three subclasses: soft 

white wheat, white club wheat, and western white wheat. A low-protein wheat used principally 

for pastry flours and shredded and puffed breakfast foods. See Wheat. 

 Soybeans—U.S. No. 1-4 and Sample Grade, Yellow soybeans and Mixed soybeans. See 

Soybeans#1, Mixed soybeans and Yellow soybeans. 

 Soybeans #1—The highest grade available, based on test weight, heat damage, foreign 

material, splits, and color. It is a food--quality grade, but comprises only a small percent of the 

market. Most soybeans are of a lower grade and are sold as feed. See Soybeans. 

 Spot commodity—The actual commodity as distinguished from a futures contract. Sometimes 

used to refer to cash commodities available for immediate delivery. 

 Spot price—The price at which a physical commodity for immediate delivery is selling at a 

given time and place. See cash price. 

 Spread—The price variation between two connected commodities or markets. 

 SRW—See Soft Red Wheat 

 ST—Short ton, 2,000 pounds, or 0.907 metric ton. 

 St. Louis 1976 Benchmark Tariff Rate—The 1976 benchmark tariff rate is $3.99 per short 

ton and includes Alton, Chester, East St. Louis, Faults, IL. and Cape Girardeau, St. Louis, MO. 

 Supramax—52,000 dwt vessel. See Vessels Sizes. 

 SWW—See Soft White Wheat 

 Tare Weight—The weight of the empty container, or conveyance of goods. Subtract tare 

weight from the gross weight capacity to obtain the net weight cargo capacity. Cargo weights 

in intermodal containers are restricted by highway weight limits and railroad safety concerns. 

 Tariff Rate for Containerized Cargo—The rate an ocean carrier offers a shipper for 

transportation services. Tariff rates do not include fuel, security, currency adjustment, or 

documentation surcharges. See Containerized Cargo and Tariff Rate. 
 

 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS 

Return to top 

Transportation Services Branch 

Grain Transportation Report 

 Tariff Rate—The rate offered to shippers for transportation services. Guaranteed delivery of 

railcars, fuel surcharges, and other rail access charges are in addition to tariff rates. 

 Tariff—A document issued by carriers or conferences that established all rules, rates, and 

charges for the movement of goods. 

 Terminal Market—Consolidation point for grain before being shipped to a port for export. 

The price shown indicates terminal costs plus elevator processing costs. 

 TEU (20-foot equivalent unit)—A unit of measure in the maritime industry to describe 

containership and port capacity and movements through ports, terminals, and on trains and 

barges. 

 Texas Gulf—A grain export region including export elevators located in Beaumont, 

Brownsville, Channelview, Galena Park, Galveston, and Corpus Christi, TX. 

 Ton—A measure of weight (see long ton, metric ton, and short ton). 

 Total Commitments—Total of cumulative exports (shipped) + Outstanding sales (unshipped), 

as reported in the Export Sales report. See Export Sales Report. 

 Total Landed Cost—The farm value of a commodity plus the cost of transportation from the 

farm to the final destination point. The transportation cost includes trucking, rail, barge, and 

ocean freight rates. 

 Truck Activity (future)—The number of trucks expected to be used to haul grain to market in 

the upcoming three months, compared to the same quarter last year. 

 Truck Activity (present)—The number of trucks used for hauling grain to market in the 

current quarter, compared to the same quarter last year. 

 Truck Availability—Measures how easy or difficult it is to hire trucks to haul grain, compared 

to the same quarter last year. 

 Truck Fuel Prices—On-highway diesel fuel prices (dollars per gallon including taxes) as 

reported by the Energy Information Administration, U.S. Department of Energy. 

 Truck Rates—The average rate per mile that shippers report for hiring trucks to haul grain in 

the current quarter. 

 Twin Cities 1976 Benchmark Tariff Rate—The 1976 benchmark tariff rate is $6.19 per short 

ton and includes Minneapolis, St. Paul, Red Wing, Shakopee, and Winona, MN ports. 
 

 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS 

Return to top 

Transportation Services Branch 

Grain Transportation Report 

 U.S. Flag Commercial Vessel—A vessel registered and operated under the laws of the United 

States; used in commercial trade of the United States; owned and operated by U.S. citizens, 

including a vessel under voyage or time charter to the Government; and a Government-owned 

vessel under bareboat charter to, and operated by, U.S. citizens. 

 U.S. Gulf—An area that includes Mississippi Gulf, Texas Gulf, and East Gulf. 

 Unit Train—A train with at least 52 cars, which remain as a unit between origin and 

destination. These rail cars may be split at the originating elevator and reassembled for delivery 

to the destination after loading. 

 Unshipped Export Balances—Grain reported to the USDA as having been sold, but which has 

not yet been shipped. 

 Upbound Empties—Barges that have been unloaded along the Mississippi, Arkansas, and 

Ohio rivers, which are now headed northbound, without any cargo aboard. 

 UP—Union Pacific Railway Company 

 Vessel Sizes (Bulk Carriers)—There are several ocean bulk carriers that are reported in the 

Grain Transportation Report; Handysize (10,000-35,000 dwt), Handymax (35,000-50,000 dwt), 

Panamax (60,000-70,000 dwt), Supramax (52,000 dwt), and Capesize (80,000-172,000 dwt +) 

 Weight Cargo—Cargo on which the transportation charge is assessed on the basis of weight 

per metric ton (1000 kilograms/2240 lbs) and does not exceed a measurement of one cubic 

meter per ton, versus measurement cargo which exceeds one cubic meter per metric ton. 

 Wheat—U. S wheat varieties include: White, Soft White Wheat (SWW), Soft Red Winter 

(SRW), Hard Red Spring (HRS), Hard Red Winter (HRW), Durum (DUR). For Canada: 

Canada Western Amber Durum (CWAD), and Canada Western Red Sprint (CWRS). 

 Yellow Soybeans—These soybeans have yellow or green seed coats, and may not include more 

than 10 percent of soybeans of other colors. See Soybeans. 

 YTD—year-to-date