Like any market, grain transportation companies benefit from the competition of cost-effective and efficient services. Barges, trains and tractor-trailers are an essential part of the harvest process, and each mode of transportation continually explores ways to improve their operation.

As the third largest crop grown in the U.S., wheat not only provides food for millions of people, but also creates jobs on farms, elevators and mill operations, as well as in grocers, bakeries and restaurants. With nearly 45 million metric tons produced in the U.S. last year, wheat utilizes many forms of transportation to efficiently travel throughout the nation.

^{Source: Freightwaves Inc}

The Pacific Northwest utilizes their natural resources to transport wheat and other small grains via barges on the Snake and Columbia Rivers. In the Central Region, the Mississippi River transports approximately 175 tons of general freight each year. This economical mode of transportation has a positive impact on the environment and lessens the burden on U.S. roads and highways.

^{“One 4-barge tow on the Columbia-Snake river system hauls as much cargo as 538 large semi-trucks. It also uses almost 4 times less fuel, and is safer for humans, wildlife and the environment.”}

Although barges are advantageous for the environment and have the ability to carry larger loads, railroads haul approximately 35% of all U.S. grains. The largest benefit factor for utilizing rail when transporting wheat is the capacity of each railcar, which can accommodate around 100 tons each. Multiply that by 100 linked railcars, and a train can move approximately 10,000 harvested acres.

^{“Wheat accounted for 305,000 carloads in 2020 (20% of total rail grain carloads).”}

Barges and trains are beneficial for moving large amounts of wheat great distances, while tractor-trailers leverage their necessity for short-distance hauling. Trucks transport nearly 61% of grain in the U.S., despite the high fuel costs and economic disservice. The elevated percentage is due to essential transit of the harvest from farm to mills or elevators prior to being stored or shipped via barge or rail.