USDA Sep 3 report shows barge, rail and diesel costs climbing across freight modes

Summary

The USDA September 3 Grain Transportation Report shows broad upward pressure: the Illinois River barge index rose 13.6% week-on-week, rail shuttle secondary premiums averaged +$638 per car, and US on-highway diesel was up 49.9% year-on-year at $5.599/gal. BNSF, Union Pacific and Canadian National also implemented soybean tariff changes effective Sep 1. Shippers face higher baseline transport costs into the harvest build.