Ag Rail

No doubt, North Dakota is an export state. But getting our commodities across the country can be ...  More »

No doubt, North Dakota is an export state. But getting our commodities across the country can be spendy. Today Agstakeholders meet with Burlington Northern Santa Fe represenatives to discuss rail issues. It's the first meeting for the North Dakota Ag Rail Business Council. The council hopes to open communication lines between the ag industry and the largest shipper in the state. (Dan Wogsland / NDGGA) "For so long we have been advsarily in this relationship. It's been us versus they. We don't want to do that anymore. It's not good business, it's not good business for the railroad, it's not good business for ag stakeholders. That being said the best way to do it is to bring people around the table to discuss rail issues." The Council is a chance for farmers to learn more about rail issues and for railways to understand what is on producers minds. (Byron Richard / Belfield Producer) "One is service we want in done in a timely matter especially in light of this year big crop, that is a concern that we have, that we have timely frright to get it out to our export markets. And the other one of course is the cost of the freight." Wogsland says 50 percent our wheat and 35 percent of our barley is exported out of the country.  « Less