The Soy Transportation Coalition announced on May 1 that it is working to improve the infrastructure for moving soybeans from farms in Iowa and other states to global markets. The coalition said these efforts aim to reduce transportation costs and make U.S. soybean products more competitive.
Mike Steenhoek, executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition, said, “When you invest in our roads, our bridges, our inland waterway system, our freight rail system, our ports, 100 percent of the beneficiaries of that are U.S. agriculture.” Steenhoek added that reducing transportation costs helps keep U.S. soybeans competitively priced: “It’s a game that’s won or lost based on price. So, any time you make that investment, you’re helping reduce the cost per ton or per bushel of that product.”
The coalition pointed out available funding mechanisms such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and other federal programs but emphasized the need for responsible spending practices rather than simply increasing expenditures. “It’s not just a matter of the government spending more money,” Steenhoek said. “We have to be able to institute more appropriate construction practices.” The organization includes 14 state soybean boards as well as national groups.
Recent projects supported by STC include expansions at major ports like Houston and Milwaukee aimed at increasing capacity for exporting soybean meal and soybeans. At Houston’s port facility operated by The Andersons Inc., upgrades will allow exports of up to one million metric tons annually once completed. At Washington’s Port of Kalama TEMCO terminal—a joint venture between Cargill and CHS—rail enhancements are expected to improve efficiency by up to 30% during peak export seasons.
In Portsmouth, Virginia, a new intermodal export facility broke ground in May 2025 with storage for up to 15,000 metric tons and handling capacity for thousands of containers each year; this is designed specifically for agricultural products sourced from both local producers and Midwest suppliers.
According to the official website, the Iowa Soybean Association uses checkoff funds for programs supporting demand growth and research benefiting farmers across nearly 37,000 producers statewide; it also serves as Iowa’s Qualified State Soybean Board while promoting market development through policy advocacy initiatives. The association presents annual leadership awards recognizing outstanding contributions within its community engagement activities. Community initiatives like CommonGround Iowa further connect with stakeholders throughout Iowa.
Steenhoek concluded about changing global dynamics: “The landscape has changed; you’ve got to have a supply chain that can adapt to it.” With continued investment in infrastructure projects large and small—including expanded storage facilities at Milwaukee—the coalition aims for greater cost efficiency in transporting soy domestically and internationally.
