Regional elevator transportation
Subtitle: market decisions and rail service
By: Kimberly Vachal
Contributors: North Dakota. Department of Transportation; United States. Federal Highway Administration; Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute
Series: UGPTI department publication -- no. 259; UGPTI publication -- no. 259.
Publisher: Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, North Dakota State University
Published: 2012
Place of publication: Fargo, N.D.]
Language: eng
Number of pages: 32
Subjects: Grain; Transportation; Grain elevators; Railroads; Freight; Trucking
Description: Agriculture is a leading source of demand for transport resources. It accounted for nearly 1 in 5 ton-miles of highway freight and 1 in 10 ton-miles of rail and barge freight transported in the nation during 2010, and demand is expected to grow. Thus, understanding industry practices and trends related to transportation is essential in business, resource, and policy decisions. The goal here is to gain insight into transportation in the north-central plains region, defined here to include North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas. Responses from 208 elevators surveyed in the region were studied to understand industry composition, decision processes, marketing trends, and transport practices. Results show a strong need for sound local road infrastructure, which is essential in grain procurement and in serving growing local processor demand. Large elevators dominate the industry in terms of volume handled but smaller facilities remain active, especially in serving local demand. For this region, reliable and competitive rail service and sound rail service and investment decisions by elevators are important in long-term industry strength, especially in the light of current opportunities for export market growth.
Notes: "In cooperation with Kansas Grain and Feed Association, Minnesota Grain & Feed Association, Nebraska Grain and Feed Association, North Dakota Grain and Feed Association, North Dakota Wheat Commission, South Dakota Grain & Feed Association, South Dakota Wheat Commission."

"November 2012."

Includes bibliographical references (p. 31-32).

Also available via the World Wide Web.

Supported by the North Dakota Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration