WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. — On Aug. 4-5, the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) and the Soy Transportation Coalition (STC) will host the second Ag Transportation Summit: "Transportation Capacity - Overcoming the Challenges," on Aug. 4-5 at the Westin O’Hare, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.

The inaugural summit occurred in July 2013.

"U.S. farmers continue to demonstrate an ability to feed a growing and hungry planet," said Scott Gauslow, a soybean farmer from Colfax, North Dakota, U.S., and chairman of the Soy Transportation Coalition. "However, in order to remain profitable, we must not only produce what customers demand but also be able to transport it to them in a cost effective, reliable manner. Many aspects of our transportation system are not positioned to do so. These challenges must be addressed."

"This year's summit will focus on strategies and steps being taken to enhance capacity and efficiency within all transportation modes - highway, rail, barge and ports - to meet the continued, growing demand for moving freight to both domestic and export markets," said NGFA Chairman Gary Beachner, president and chief executive officer of Beachner Grain Co., Parsons, Kansas, U.S. "The U.S. transportation system remains a key competitive advantage for U.S. agriculture. But retaining that advantage requires a continued commitment and efforts by the leaders and stakeholders who will be part of this conference."

The goals of the summit are to:
• Raise the awareness of the importance of transportation to the success and profitability of U.S. agriculture;
• Precipitate and motivate further action to promote a transportation infrastructure that better serves the interests of U.S. agriculture;
• Provide a venue for advocates of U.S. agriculture to network and develop collaborations for the purpose of promoting the transportation needs of U.S. agriculture; and
• Build bridges between government and agricultural interests that will result in more effective promotion of agricultural transportation issues.

Confirmed speakers include key executives from most of the U.S. Class I railroads, including BNSF Railway, Union Pacific Railroad, CSX Transportation Co., Canadian National Railway; as well as the acting chairman of the federal Surface Transportation Board, Debra Miller, top officials from the American Trucking Associations and the National Retail Federation and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Invitations also have been extended to key members of Congress, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the grain industry and others to address the summit.

Specific topics and issues to be addressed during the summit include:

• Inland Waterways: The status of funding to upgrade locks and dams, and the potential timing of lock rehabilitation projects, as well as the significance of inland waterways to agriculture.
• Rail Transportation: Efforts underway by rail carriers to enhance capacity to serve growing freight demand from agriculture and other sectors.
• Surface Transportation: Challenges inherent in the current structure for funding improvements and maintenance of the highway system, as well as potential alternative financing arrangements. • Ports: Productivity and reliability concerns confronting the nation's ports, needed investments and innovations at foreign ports.
• Panama Canal Expansion: An update on the status of the expansion project and its implications for agricultural trade and U.S. ports.

Those wishing to participate in the summit can register online.The early bird registration fee is $265 if received no later than June 25. Price goes up to $295 on June 26; on-site registration is $350.