Soy Transportation Coalition Hosts STB Chairman Elliott on Grain Loading Tour

The Soy Transportation Coalition invited Chairman Daniel Elliott of the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to Iowa on Nov. 16 to tour Archer Daniels Midland’s soybean processing plant, located in Des Moines, and West Central Cooperative’s grain elevator, located near Ames. Afterward, members of the ag shipping industry had a chance to discuss with Elliott the issues affecting the industry.

The Surface Transportation Board is an autonomous federal agency that is charged with resolving railroad rate and service disputes and reviewing proposed railroad mergers.  It is governed by a three person board, consisting of a chairman and two commissioners.  The chairman and the commissioners are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate for a five year term of office.  

"The Soy Transportation Coalition was pleased to host Chairman Elliott for his tour of rail loading facilities and his meeting with agricultural shippers," explains Mike Steenhoek, executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition.  "Agriculture is a prominent customer of the rail industry.  In 2009, for example, our nation's major railroads received $1.5 billion in revenue from moving soybeans and soy products.  It is therefore important for the head of the federal agency that regulates rail rate and service issues to possess an expansive understanding of agriculture's concerns and perspectives."

At the luncheon, many of the thirteen ag shipping representatives in attendance mentioned their biggest concerns with the rail industry included inconsistent service and lack of communication.

Elliott, who has been Chair of the STB for a little over a year, addressed all concerns and said a difficult part of the job is maintaining the balance between railroads and shippers.

“Keeping positive relationships between railroads and shippers is important,” Elliott said. “Seeing on the ground facilities is very helpful to take back to Washington.”

Roy Arends, a farmer from Alexander, Iowa, and board member of the Soy Transportation Coalition, says, "It was very constructive to facilitate a dialogue between agricultural shippers and Chairman Elliott.  The rail customers in attendance expressed both compliments and concerns with the railroad's performance during the 2010 harvest.  We appreciate Chairman Elliott's willingness to meet with representatives from agriculture and his desire to continue being a resource for those who depend on our nation's rail industry."