ISA » Transportation » Additional Resources

To learn more about the ways transportation issues affect Illinois soybean farmers, please review our related documents. We also encourage you to visit the sites listed below for additional information.

IL Soy Bids Mobile App -- Fully funded by the Illinois soybean checkoff, IL Soy Bids provides futures prices, current cash prices at the five elevators closest to the farmer's zip code, as well as a listing of additional apps soybean farmers may find useful in managing their operations. IL Soy Bids is free for web-enabled mobile phones and smart phones, including iPhones, Blackberries and Androids.

Soy Transportation Council Calculator -- When selling soybeans, farmers must consider not only the price for the beans, but also the transportation costs to get the crop from the field to the elevator. The Soy Transportation Council Calculator is a simple tool for determining the economic impact of transporting soybeans to various locations. Use this tool to help you determine your most efficient, profitable transportation option.

Soy Transportation Coalition (STC) -- The STC is an organization established by 10 state soybean boards, the American Soybean Association and the United Soybean Board. The 10 participating states encompass 65 percent of total U.S. soybean production. In addition, the National Grain and Feed Association and the National Oilseed Processors Association serve as ex-officio members on the STC's board. It works to ensure the U.S. transportation system has the infrastructure and capacity necessary for the long-term competitiveness of the soybean industry.

Illinois Chamber Infrastructure Council Blog -- A blog, by Gideon Blustein, executive director of the Infrastructure Council within the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, advocating for investments in Illinois' roads, bridges, railways, airports, waterways and public transportation.

IGNN: Illinois Government News Network Infrastructure News -- This newsroom provides access to all published State of Illinois press releases relating to the infrastructure affecting the basic operations of Illinois transportation, communications, public institutions and utilities.

Transportation for Illinois Coalition (TFIC) -- The TFIC meets with government officials at all levels and promotes transportation issues throughout the state. The TFIC focuses on principles and program concepts that will enable transportation leaders to move forward with a common purpose to obtain maximum federal and state funding to meet Illinois' infrastructure needs. 

Agricultural Transportation Coalition (AgTC) -- The AgTC works to achieve Shipping Act reform to allow U.S. ag exporters to be more competitive in the international market. It monitors government and commercial activity on ocean shipping and lobbies Congress when necessary to change laws that would harm agriculture interests, or to support laws that will benefit agriculture.

ISA Research Library -- The library houses the latest ISA-funded research exploring how Illinois can best utilize intermodal container shipping.

Illinois Railroad Association -- The Illinois Railroad Association represents freight railroads and rail freight supply companies on issues regarding transportation, the environment, revenue, safety and security.

Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI) -- The WCI is a national public policy organization that advocates for a properly funded and well-maintained system of inland waterways and ports. It seeks to educate decision-makers in the states and federal government, the news media and the general public about the critical importance of our nation's inland waterways and the need to sustain and increase their reliability now and for our future.