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The main objective of this study is to present an overview of grain procuring, handling, transportation, and selling as it pertains to North Dakota. Specific objectives are to: 1) examine the concept of shipping grain in multiple car units; 2) describe various marketing alternatives available to country...

The purpose of this paper is to profile jumbo covered hopper car leasing by country grain merchandising firms in North Dakota. Costs and utilization of leasing hopper cars are detailed. In addition, a model is developed for comparing the lease/purchase decision.

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effect of market trade area size on costs of alternative grain elevator systems in North Dakota. In addition, marketing densities, which directly affect size of trade area, will be examined.

The objectives of this report are: 1) to describe the grain production and marketing characteristics of the southeast-central portion of North Dakota, with particular attention paid to Dickey and Sargent counties; 2) to estimate the volume of grain which may be available to area merchandisers through...

The purpose of this study was to analyze the cost structures associated with subterminal facilities. An economic-engineering approach was used to determine the construction and operation costs of four different sizes of subterminal facilities operating at three different plant capacities. Profitability...

This paper theoretically analyzes Burlington Northern's proposed policy on reducing the number of privately owned covered hopper cars operating on its trackage.

The main objective of this study is to examine the use of leased and privately-owned covered hopper cars by grain elevators in North Dakota. Specific objectives are to: 1) describe rail car leasing authority; 2) evaluate the utilization of leased hopper cars; and 3) compare the economics of leasing versus...

This report summarizes activities undertaken pursuant to Activity 3 under the contract existing between the North Dakota Highway Department and the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute (UGPTI). The activities include the development of data sources and programs which would allow the estimation...

This report represents a continuation of analyses concerned with the patterns and methods of distributing grain from North Dakota. The collection and compilation of this type of data began in 1956-57. The objective of this report, like prior reports, is to provide the necessary data base for identifying...

The transportation of grain and oilseed from North Dakota to the Minneapolis-St. Paul, Duluth-Superior, and Pacific Northwest terminal markets is characterized by significant fluctuations in demand between years and seasonality within any given market year.