The National Grain and Feed Association is backing a proposed rule change by the Surface Transportation Board to allow competitive switching. NGFA President Randy Gordon says allowing competitive switching where a shipper has access to the line of a competing carrier will benefit agriculture.

He says that would have provided some relief when a major rail backlog occurred during harvest a couple of year ago in the Northern Plains where more rail cars were used by the oil industry in favor of ag commodities.

Gordon says there will be opposition to the proposal from the railroads but is hoping that can be overcome.

Comments on the Surface Transportation Board proposal are due by September 26.