Grain Growers, Farm Bureau to be honored for work in mediating BNSF rates

The Montana Grain Growers Association has announced that it and the Montana Farm Bureau Federation will be honored at a meeting in Washington this week commemorating the work to resolve rate and service issues Montana grain growers have had with Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway.

The international news organization Argus Media, which publishes U.S. Rail Business News, will honor the farm organizations and the railway Thursday with its Bronze Win- Win award at the annual meeting of the North American Rail Shippers Association.

The Win-Win awards are presented by Argus to honor resolution of difficulties between shippers and railroads.

MGGA, MFBA and BNSF negotiated for some five years to come to a resolution of complaints about high shipping rates in Montana. Producers said the railroad charged more for Montana producers to ship grain to the West Coast than it did producers on the eastern edge of North Dakota.

Using mediation and collaboration, the groups produced a mediation process and alternat ive dispute resolut ion to address shippers concerns about shipping rates.

"Our success has resulted in Montana freight rates which are comparable and competitive with other wheat states, and has enhanced the service and efficiency of our primary railroad," MGGA said in a press release announcing the award.