The Midwest Ag Summit, held in West Fargo, North Dakota, on June 10, 2025, underscored the critical role of transportation infrastructure in agriculture, emphasizing that farming is merely the first step in a complex journey to global markets. The event, organized by the Fargo-Moorhead Chamber of Commerce, served as a precursor to Ag Tech Week, focusing on the theme “Powering Policy, People & Pathways in Agriculture.”
Steve Olson, an agriculture strategist, initiated discussions on the transportation of agricultural products, highlighting the importance of robust rail, trucking, and port systems. “Having a strong infrastructure in the rail, trucking, and the Duluth Seaway Port Authority helps us serve those different markets,” Olson stated. Without efficient transportation, the value of agricultural commodities would be significantly diminished.
Daniel Maffei, a commissioner on the Federal Maritime Commission, joined Olson to discuss the pivotal role of ocean shipping in agricultural exports. “You can’t feed the world if you can’t get to the world,” Maffei asserted. He emphasized that agricultural exports predominantly rely on maritime transport, making it essential for these systems to operate smoothly. Recent challenges have included ensuring the availability of containers for exports and addressing the prioritization of imports over exports by shippers.
Legislative measures during the COVID-19 pandemic have helped mitigate some of these issues, but ongoing challenges such as weather, labor, markets, shipping alliances, and tariffs continue to impact the industry. The Federal Maritime Commission aims to reduce uncertainties and ensure fair treatment for exporters. Maffei also highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence and improved logistics to enhance the efficiency of agricultural product transportation.
The summit featured a panel discussion led by Olson, with speakers Amy McBeth of BNSF Railway, Kate Ferguson of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority, and Mike Metzger of Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative. Ferguson discussed the significant volume of grain and machinery handled by the Port of Duluth, noting that technological advancements like hands-free mooring have greatly improved efficiency and safety.
McBeth underscored the importance of BNSF in transporting agricultural products, particularly from Minnesota and North Dakota to the Pacific Northwest. She highlighted the use of technology to enhance safety and reduce incidents on the rail. Metzger shared insights into Minn-Dak’s use of autonomous trucking to address the shortage of truck drivers, a critical issue for expanding production. The autonomous trucking system, which uses a leader-follower model, has attracted young people to careers in agriculture, addressing labor shortages and fostering technological innovation.
The Midwest Ag Summit illuminated the intricate interplay between agriculture and transportation, emphasizing the need for continuous improvement in infrastructure and technology to ensure the efficient movement of agricultural products to global markets. The discussions underscored the importance of policy, innovation, and collaboration in addressing the challenges faced by the agricultural sector.