News

Rail reopening on Mexican border welcomed news

Ag groups are relieved that U.S. Customs and Border Protection has announced it will reopen international rail crossings in Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas.  CPB says rail operations will resume immediately. 

National Corn Growers President Harold Wolle says their organization is very appreciative that the government was responsive to calls to have the border crossings re-opened. Wolle says he hopes the experience serves as a reminder how closing rail crossings can have devastating ramifications for farmers and the economy.

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor says the bioethanol industry and its farm partners can rest easy knowing that goods can again flow freely to one of the most important export markets for the U.S.

U.S. Wheat organizations say even short disruptions in this system can have significant negative effects on both sides of the border.  In a joint statement, U.S. Wheat Associates and the National Association of Wheat Growers say the rail corridors are essential gateways to many loyal flour millers in Mexico relying on the interconnected U.S. and Mexican rail system.

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas says since Monday railroads held over 100 train sets, the equivalent to more than 100,000 rail cars and 10,000,000 tons of commodities and goods with the closure.  He and a group of Republican Senators, including Jerry Moran of Kansas and Pete Ricketts of Nebraska, sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security earlier this week demanding the border reopen.