Bulk Freight News & Industry Updates - Stay Ahead in Trucking

Under existing rules, freight brokers and freight forwarders must provide evidence of financial responsibility before they can obtain operating licenses. They must either post a $75,000 BMC-84 bond or deposit $75,000 in a BMC-85 trust. Since this is a condition of licensing, prospective brokers and forwarders can't obtain licenses without first either posting a bond or opening a $75,000 BMC-85 trust. Brokers and forwarders must also maintain their surety bonds or trusts and renew them every y

Log falsification isnt something carriers should take lightly. According to FMCSA data from 2019 to 2023, a false report of drivers record of duty status accounted for 4.9% of all roadside inspection violations, was the fourth most common driver violation and one of the top out-of-service violations.

Double-brokering when a carrier accepts a load and then illegally re-brokers it to another carrier is on the rise, costing brokers and carriers millions of dollars, and hurting legitimate businesses.

Jared brings on David Consiglio, Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Missouri State Bears college football team. During this motivating and inspiring episode, David talks about his faith, and trust, and how it all relates back to running a business. He talks about staying strong in the bad times and how negative markets can actually benefit your trucking company. Check out David's

The pandemic did not impact all drivers equally. It was a boon to their careers, bringing record wage growth for some. To others, it was a catalyst for unemployment. Using a variety of news and other sources, Truckinfo.net investigated how the trucking industry changed during the pandemic.

CHS, a US-based agribusiness cooperative, on April 5 posted an increase in net income during the second quarter of fiscal year 2023 boosted mainly by its energy segment, while earnings in its Ag segment declined from a historically high position from the same period a year ago.

While most fleets mean the same thing when they refer to regional operations (some constraint on geographic operation to allow the driver to return home on some predictable basis), theres not one true definition across the board when it comes to mileage.

Leann Marie Rouse, a former bookkeeper for Siemens Trucking Inc., will have an initial appearance and arraignment in U.S. District Court next Friday. She will be charged with three counts of wire fraud, according to the indictment.

The group is called Truckers Integral to our Economy (TIE) and its executive director is Scott Brenner, who is also an executive director at Crossroads Strategies, a Washington-area lobbying firm. Brenner told FreightWaves he worked in Congress for about 10 years on the Ways and Means and Transportation committees and also spent time at the Department of Transportation before joining Crossroads.

From scheduling, routing, ordering and delivery to load planning, tracking and risk management, artificial intelligence (AI) can assist the feed and grain industries in many ways along the supply chain.

The Planting Intentions and Quarterly Grain Stocks reports are out, and the numbers were pretty close to what we were expecting to see; more corn acres being planted. Of course, prices are decent, and we hear that a lot. But, if you are holding grain in the bin and not pricing some of your 2023 crop, one analyst feels you may be playing with fire.

Based in Donna, Texas, US, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. A chapter 11 debtor usually proposes a plan of reorganization to keep its business alive and pay creditors over time.

FMCSA also noted that it is accepting comments on two other dockets related to brokers through Thursday, April 6, later this week. One is the recent proposed rulemaking offering rules to change broker and freight forwarder financial responsibility requirements in various ways. Comments on that proposal can be filed here.

Jared brings back popular guest, Padgett Smith with The Permit Shop, to discuss the step-by-step procedure on how to add a brokerage to your trucking operation. Larry Hurt, CEO of Bulk Insurance Group also joins them to provide his expertise on the insurance side. Check out The Permit Shop here: https://www.permitsho

Garcia Grain Trading Corp., a Donna-based grain storage and sale company, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Feb. 17 after the Texas Department of Agriculture, or TDA, pulled its grain storage licenses and shut down its grain elevators.

Carriers are responding to the differences between contracted loads and the spot market, they say, and its much easier and cheaper to decrease capacity than to expand fleets.

Throwing around ones weight can sometimes be a good thing but when two semi-truck drivers do it in a fit of road rage, its just stupid. That was the case on I-49 in Louisiana on Wednesday when two 18-wheeler drivers attempted to force one another off of the highway. Video of the pair went viral and helped lead authorities to each party.

In the video take a tour through Overdrive's time March 29-April 1 reporting on and documenting America's biggest trucking show, from set-up out in the PKY Truck Beauty Championship lot through to the last session of the day, on spotting and avoiding double brokers.

The weight limit increase raises safety concerns for rural communities

While the 2023 Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky, doesn't officially kick off until Thursday, you might not be able to tell that's the case walking around Lot J behind the West Wing of the Kentucky Expo Center, where the PKY Truck Beauty Championship is taking place through Saturday.

Franklin Ray, the owner of trucking company CSA Business Solutions LLC and another Michigan-based trucking company, pleaded guilty Tuesday to four counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft in connection with various fraud schemes related to the operation of his companies.

The National Transportation Safety Board came down hard on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration after the board found that a fatigued driver of a milk-hauling tank truck was abusing the hours-of-service agriculture exemption with little oversight of the exemption from FMCSA when he was involved in a fatal crash.

Freight volumes and rates declined in February, but the freight downcycle is closer to the end than the beginning, according to the latest release of ACT Researchs For-Hire Trucking Index.

"When it comes to insurance for our bulk freight rigs, we gotta be careful who we trust. That's why I went with Bulk Insurance Group by BulkLoads.com. They're the big dog in the industry and know us owner-operators inside and out. Their team has over 20 years of experience, so they know what they're doing. Plus, they're trusted by over 10,000 other bulk haulers, so that's gotta mean

What that could mean, of course, is that youve got less operational revolving credit, or that you cant hire as many people as youd like, [or] you cant renew your fleet, said J. Bruce Chan, an industry analyst and director of global logistics at Stifel. Ultimately, this will be a headwind for overall trucking capacity.

As truck drivers, every minute of their move was accounted for. They ate dinner at their home in Wisconsin and left around 8:30 p.m. At 11 p.m., the Schmitts arrived in the tiny town of Gaylord, Minnesota. Their customer, a multimillion dollar supplier of value-added eggs, allows truck drivers to park overnight a rare treat. Because of federal regulations that date back to the 1930s, the Schmitts werent able to start their day until 9 a.m. the next day.

The duo allegedly devised a scheme to defraud freight factoring companies by submitting false bills of lading. They were indicted on one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and of aiding and abetting disaster fraud. In addition, they are accused of filing for lost wage assistance payments on behalf of Alien Saavedra while he was employed in the motor carrier industry.

William White was sentenced to one year and one day imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Sarah White was sentenced to three years of probation and a fine of $10,000. Each was ordered to pay $426,047.75 restitution but was credited for payments they had made previously totaling that same amount.

In this episode, Jared brings on Tom Beenken with Continental Western Group to talk about insurance premiums! Tom has been in the insurance industry for close to 40 years and is very knowledgeable in all aspects of trucking insurance. Tom and Jared discuss what underwriters look at when quoting your insurance and the steps you can take to

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has denied a rulemaking petition by the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) to remove a requirement that freight brokers disclose to carriers transaction records between brokers and shippers.

Some 455 truck drivers without jobs after owners failed to pay them for weeks

More than 100 members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters joined Assembly member Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, a Democrat from Winters, earlier this year as she announced new legislation to require all self-driving semi-trucks to have a human driver present to oversee them.

Signees said SHIP IT would provide meaningful solutions to address the need for more truck drivers, truck parking, productivity, environmental efficiency, options during emergencies, and flexibility for agricultural haulers.

In 1980, the four biggest railroads originated 53% of all grain and oilseed traffic. By 2011, they accounted for 86%.

"One out of every seven trucks you see on the road in the United States today is operated by an independent contractor," said TIE Executive Director Scott Brenner. "Our association is committed to ensuring that the independent contractor model remains a viable option for businesses and workers alike, providing opportunities for entrepreneurship and job flexibility."

The latest version of House Bill 189 would allow trucks hauling forestry and agricultural products to carry heavier loads until July 1, 2024. That would give lawmakers time to strike a compromise that would permanently increase truck weights while addressing the concerns of critics who say heavier vehicles would mean more potholes and traffic fatalities.

In this episode, Jared brings on Lance Albin with UMB Bank to discuss finance and agriculture! During this show, they discuss hot topics such as current interest rates, Lance also shares his personal opinion and outlook on 2023. Visit UMB here:

The debate over agricultural pollution is turning into a polarizing political issue in both Europe and the United States. And I worry the farmers may lose the fight.

In the first half of 2022, buyers and sellers enjoyed a robust period of dealmaking. In the second half of the year, though, M&A activity dropped off. Despite that, the fundamental factors that have been driving trucking mergers and acquisitions are still alive and well. That means 2023 has all the markings of being a very good year.

Massive flooding is preventing workers from harvesting lettuce, strawberries and other plants right now, particularly in central California. Workers have also been unable to plant crops like tomatoes, one expert from the University of Californias farming extension center told FreightWaves.

Employees were notified of the closure through a video message according to FreightWaves, which explained that the companys major customers had demanded major rate and volume concessions. One customer withdrew a significant percentage of its freight on Feb. 28, the message said.

Critical rendered ingredients, such as those used for pet food and animal feed, travel by truck transportation and a disruption of the trucking industry could mean the delay of ingredients for these products potentially causing undue harm to the both the household pet and livestock population. Additionally, decreased productivity caused by a disruption in the supply chain could also mean a considerable economic loss for those in the rendering industry and the ag industry as a whole.

The Iowa House has still not voted on the bill as of Thursday, which would send it to Governor Kim Reynolds (R) desk. The bill would limit noneconomic damages like pain, suffering and loss of chance to $2 Million for all lawsuits related to commercial vehicles. The number would change based on inflation.

Based on a recommendation by the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Plan and Agreement, which oversees and collects the fees for the 41 states participating in it, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration proposes reducing them by approximately 9% for the 2024 registration year.

Maverick is just one example of the trucking fleets that have struggled with not being able to get new trucks in the past couple of years. The COVID-19 pandemic upended manufacturing and caused massive supply chain issues. As a result, many products, from small microchips all the way up to Class 8 trucks, are still difficult to purchase especially in large numbers. This means that fleets are running trucks longer, and racking up more miles on them, than ever before.

Scoular announced today that it will recommission the former sunflower crush plant outside of Goodland that it purchased in 2021. The Nebraska-based agribusiness will make an investment to retrofit the facility to crush both soybeans and canola. Up to 40 new jobs will be created in Goodland, located in northwest Kansas. The facility is expected to begin operations in fall 2024.

Feed industry representatives are among those backing a new bill related to supply chain infrastructure in the US.

The revolving equity in a cooperative is, in essence, profits that are distributed to the member but temporarily lent back to the cooperative to fund investment.

According to the Department of Transportations Office of Inspector General, an investigation revealed that from around 2015 until October 2017, Castillo led a double-broker scheme in which he stole the identity of an interstate carrier and agreed to make deliveries using the company's stolen identity.

Kendra Brown has long dreamed of starting her own trucking business. Ive had it on my vision board for many years, Brown told North Carolina Education Lottery officials in a March 14 news release. Now, Browns dream is a reality. The 36-year-old truck driver recently bought a $5 Fire scratch-off ticket from a Speedway in Greenville, according to lottery officials. When she started scratching, she realized she won big.

In this episode, Jared brings on Steve Morgan with Poole Chemical to discuss fertilizer. Steve has been on our show many times before, we wanted to have him back on to discuss current market conditions and what to expect within the fertilizer market. He gives his opinion on what's happening now but more importantly, what's right around th

A California bill that would require human drivers inside robotic trucks will force Democratic lawmakers to choose between their labor allies and Silicon Valley over how to regulate the emerging autonomous vehicle industry.

Missouri-based trucking company Rapid Response has been sold to its employees under an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). Investment banking firm ButcherJoseph & Co., which advised Rapid Response on the transaction, announced the closing Friday.

Farm industry experts don't believe the sector will see as many transportation-related challenges this year compared to 2022.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on Tuesday announced it is extending the comment period for a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) offering rules to change broker and freight forwarder financial responsibility requirements in various ways. Comments were originally set to close March 6.

A group of transportation and trucking stakeholders calling on Congress to repeal a World War I-era tax on heavy-duty trucks says the measure disproportionately burdens small businesses and dampens

The board of directors of Mid-Iowa Cooperative (MIC) said it has approved the sale of the cooperatives shares in Shell Rock Soy Processing, LLC (SRSP). MIC did not disclose who is buying the shares, noting only that it was presented with a significant offer for its ownership and that the offer validates the initial investment made two years ago to develop this modern soybean processing plant.

FMCSA, which will host the session March 31 at the Mid America Trucking Show (MATS) in Louisville, Kentucky, wants to hear comments on two matters: interim guidance issued in November on the agencys interpretation of how brokers and bona fide agents are defined, and a proposal issued on Jan. 5 to regulate five areas of broker financial responsibility.

In this episode, Jared Flinn brings on Caleb Kindle and Austin Holt to discuss a platform on BulkLoads that increases efficiency within the bulk industry. They discuss how this benefits each party and also dive into its features. To learn more email Caleb or Austin:

The Logistics Managers Index (LMI) registered a reading of 36.1 for transportation costs in February, 5.9 percentage points lower than in January and below the prior record, which was established in December.

Over 200 of trucking companys employees, including 140 drivers, losing jobs

Freight factoring company, Smart Freight Funding, helps trucking companies of all sizes keep their trucks moving by getting paid quicker. Smart Freight Funding works with single truck operations, individual owner-operator, and larger companies managing several trucks and drivers. We offer competitive low rates, quick pay, and superb customer service. The team behind Smart Freight Funding has more than 50 years combined driving, dispatching, contracting and accounting experience in

Allowing truck drivers 18-20 years old to drive interstate cargo a plan strongly supported by the Biden administration and the American Trucking Associations and seen as a way to address a driver shortage would be a drag on carrier economics and safety, according to Knight-Swift President and CEO David Jackson.

The owner of M&D Trucking of Lincoln told police there were irregularities in payroll and fuel card purchases by one of his employees. Bradley Brown, 43, from Ackworth, Iowa allegedly embezzled $340,000 in suspected fraudulent transactions.

Robert Palm, a 43-year trucking veteran and founder of Truckers Final Mile, says hes heard just about every excuse in the book why some executives of small carriers and mega fleets cant or wont pay the costs to help bring a deceased driver home.

David Gleason with Gleason Custom Hauling talks about growing his fleet and using BulkLoads.com.

Known by many as Granny Glitter or Grandma Candy, the 78-year-old Bass is still actively driving longhaul across the country. A company driver for Burnsville, Minn.-based Transport Designs Inc., Bass has accumulated 6 million crash-free miles over her 50-year career.

Insurance rates for grain elevator facilities have increased substantially in the past year, and some facilities have lost their insurance altogether because companies have deemed grain elevators a high-risk investment.

(Australia) Had you told Australian Trucking Association CEO David Smith five years ago that he'd be parking his own trucks because of a lack of quality drivers, he admits he'd have laughed.

With little indication of a freight market turnaround showing up in any data set, two FreightWaves executives who also wear the hat of market experts faced a question during their most recent State of Freight webinar.

Gavilon has rebranded itself as Viterra. The new name and a new logo is being rolled out across the United States and Mexico. Omaha will remain the companys headquarters for the U.S. and Mexico.

The American Transportation Research Institute wants carriers to weigh in on whether federal drug testing policies for CDL holders should change, given the growing number of states legalizing marijuana.

The ATAs advanced Seasonally Adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index, for January, at 117.1 (2015=100), saw a 0.7% gain, from December to January, following a 1% December gain, to 116.2, over November.

Husband-wife team Chris and Ruth Smith didnt take the most traditional path to becoming owner-operators, today leased to aviation engine-hauling Southern Pride Trucking, but their unconventional path has led them to success.

Vickie Greiner, 62, and her son, Brandon Greiner, 34, both of Fairmont, Minnesota, worked at Commodity Services Inc., which is headquartered in Fairmont but has a second office in Orlando, Florida.