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Farm Group Opposes Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern Merger, Citing Competition Concerns

The National Farmers Union is calling on the Surface Transportation Board to block the proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, warning that continued rail consolidation threatens agricultural shippers nationwide.

NFU President Rob Larew said past railroad mergers have consistently harmed family farmers through reduced competition, higher rates and service degradation. The organization, which represents over 220,000 family farmers and ranchers, argues the combination would repeat historical patterns of consolidation damage.

Farmers already face mounting production costs, trade policy uncertainty and elevated transportation expenses, the group said. A merger reducing rail competition would compound these pressures for shippers with limited alternatives. Rates could rise while reliability deteriorates.

The NFU is urging the STB to prioritize rail competition protection and support expanded reciprocal switching to increase rail-to-rail competition across the transportation network.