Montana farm groups reach agreement with BNSF for lower wheat shipping rate increase

Montana farm groups, BNSF reach rate agreement

GREAT FALLS, Mont. — Montana farm groups say they have succeeded in getting Burlington Northern Santa Fe railway to lower a proposed grain shipping rate increase that takes effect next year.

Grain growers in central Montana have long complained of being subject to unfair price increases.

The Montana Farm Bureau says BNSF agreed to lower its new shuttle rate for Shelby by $165 a car during mediation talks with the Montana Grain Growers Association and the Farm Bureau.

The mediation Tuesday occurred after a Shelby wheat producer protested shipping rates between Shelby and Portland, Ore.

Most of Montana’s annual wheat crop is shipped by BNSF to ships at the mouth of the Columbia River.