At a Senate Commerce Committee Hearing on improving America’s rail system, Klobuchar said Minnesota’s agricultural producers need reliable rail service to get agricultural exports to trading partners and called on railroad companies to address the ongoing delays

Rail delays cost wheat, soybean and corn farmers nearly $100 million in lower prices this spring, according to a recent University of Minnesota study 

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today said rail service delays across Minnesota are hurting farmers and our nation’s economy. At a Senate Commerce Committee Hearing on improving America’s rail system, Klobuchar said Minnesota’s agricultural producers need reliable rail service to get their agricultural exports to trading partners, and called on railroad companies to address the ongoing delays. Rail delays cost corn, wheat and soybean farmers nearly $100 million in lower prices this spring, according to a recent study by the University of Minnesota.

“As I travel around my state, I continue to hear from agricultural producers who are seeing ongoing rail service delays,” Klobuchar said. “Agriculture producers depend on reliable freight rail as a critical component in their overall supply chain. As projections show more traffic on freight rail corridors in the coming years, the need to ensure reliable freight rail service can’t be just an afterthought. It must be a priority.”

Last week, Klobuchar urged the Surface Transportation Board to address rail service delays. She has also introduced the Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act to boost railroad competition and keep costs down for businesses, farmers and consumers by subjecting railroads to the same antitrust laws as other industries.

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