Surface Transportation Board Approves Canadian Pacific/DM&E Merger. On Sept. 30, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) granted approval for Canadian Pacific Railway’s acquisition of the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern (DM&E) Railroad. The merger will take effect on Oct. 30, and includes the DM&E’s Iowa, Chicago, and Eastern (IC&E) subsidiary. The DM&E system is comprised of 2,500 miles of rail track in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, South Dakota and Wisconsin. In making the ruling, the STB argued that the merger will not create a monopoly or inhibit the transport of freight in any region. Canadian Pacific President and CEO applauded the decision, “Canadian Pacific customers will have direct single-line access to the Midwest U.S. markets and the Kansas City gateway, which will improve fluidity to and from the Southwest U.S. and Mexico. DM&E and IC&E customers will have access to single-line haul opportunities to new markets and access to Canadian Pacific’s car fleets.” Source: Progressive Railroading
	The Soy Transportation Coalition is comprised of seven state soybean boards, the American Soybean Association, and the United Soybean Board. The National Grain and Feed Association and the National Oilseed Processors Association serve as ex-officio members of the organization.