Feed and Grain Magazine

Record-high grain stocks are driving significant increases in rail and barge transportation demand across major U.S. producing states, according to the latest Grain Transportation Report released Wednesday by the Agricultural Marketing Service. Grain stocks as of March 1 totaled 328.9 million metric tons, representing a 14% increase above the three-year average.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced grant recipients for its America First Trade Promotion Program on Wednesday, with the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council among agricultural organizations receiving funding allocations. The initiative, funded under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and administered through the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, aims to help U.S. agricultural exporters expand and diversify their global markets while building trust and leveraging new trade opportunities.

The Wheat Quality Council announced Wednesday that Sean Finnie of Sif Grains, LLC, will serve as interim executive director during a six-month transition period following Dave Green’s retirement as executive vice president at the end of February. The Executive Committee of the Wheat Quality Council Board of Trustees made the decision to ensure continuity of operations while the organization designs its long-term leadership structure.

DiscoverWestman.com's Cory Knutt reported on the grain elevator in Austin, Manitoba, being demolished, ending the presence of a prairie landmark that had stood since 1951. Emergency services established a safety and evacuation zone around the site during demolition. The main demolition was completed in about an hour, with the street reopened by noon. Cleanup work is expected to continue over the coming weeks as materials are removed from the site.

Much of the United States continued experiencing above-normal temperatures during the past week, with the warmest conditions over the southern Midwest and central Plains showing departures of 9 degrees Fahrenheit or greater. The persistent heat, combined with limited precipitation in key regions, has accelerated drought expansion across multiple states according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

U.S. Class I railroads originated 30,716 grain carloads during the week ending April 4, marking a 6% increase from the previous week and 9% more than the same period last year, according to the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service Grain Transportation Report. The figure represents a notable 20% jump above the three-year average, indicating strong rail demand for grain transportation. Rail pricing showed varied trends across different car types.

Scoular announced that Grain Division Vice President and General Manager Phil Van Court has been promoted to company president, effective June 1, as part of the company’s structured succession planning.

Perdue Farms will dismantle its damaged feed mill in Cofield, North Carolina, after determining the facility cannot be safely repaired following a fatal explosion in February, the company announced April 15. The dismantling process is scheduled to begin April 20 and will take up to 12 weeks to complete. Perdue has hired specialized contractors to carry out the work using a controlled, step-by-step approach designed to protect workers and the surrounding community.

U.S. wheat planted area for the 2026/27 marketing year is forecast to drop 3% from the previous year, marking the lowest acreage since records began in 1919, according to the latest USDA Wheat Outlook report released April 13. The reduction affects all five classes of wheat as farmers respond to a combination of large domestic and global supplies that have contributed to lower prices and reduced planting incentives.