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2/9/2026
A bipartisan group of 10 state agriculture agency secretaries, directors and commissioners are asking the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to consider the impact the proposed Union Pacific Railroad and Norfolk Southern Railway merger would have on economic competition in the agricultural industry.
In a letter to board members, the 10 leaders asked the board to take a broader focus on consolidation and competition throughout the agriculture industry as it evaluates the proposed railroad merger.
“We strongly encourage the STB to ensure that any merger approval clearly demonstrates tangible, enforceable benefits to competition and service for agriculture shippers and to support a competitive rail network that serves our industry well now and into the future," the letter states.
Agriculture agency leaders from the following states signed the letter: Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
The letter can be read here.