USDA Releases Ag Transportation Report

USDA recently released to Congress a comprehensive report on agricultural transportation in the United States, the first ever of such magnitude. The report, Study of Rural Transportation Issues,” was mandated by the 2008 Farm Bill and covers the four major modes of transportation commonly used by agriculture in the United States: truck, rail, barge and ocean vessel.

“Agriculture is the largest user of freight transportation in the United States, with 31 percent of all ton-miles recorded in 2007 being used in the movement of agricultural products,” said Tom Vilsack, USDA secretary. “This report provides policy makers the vital information needed to make strategic infrastructure and policy decisions to meet rural America’s transportation needs, now and in the future.”

The report examines some of the major issues facing agricultural transportation, including the dramatic effect of deregulation on the rail industry, a growing gap for funding inland waterways and highway systems, availability of containers and ocean vessel capacity, and the infrastructure that may be needed to support a projected increase in biofuel transportation, according to USDA.

The report also discusses the current approach to transportation policy in the United States, in which each mode of transportation is often considered separately without an overarching view of the flow of freight through all the modes.

To view the study, click here. ”