The national grain marketing system is in a state of transition. Changes in the methods of production and harvesting grain have improved yields and shortened the time required for harvesting grain (Jones, Sharp, and Baldwin; Penn, pp. 119-129). Specialization in grain or livestock production, and increases in foreign demand have caused more grain to gravitate through the marketing channels (Penn, pp. 119-129; Stallings, Harris, Sappington). Transportation rates are increasing for all modes, rail abandonment of branch lines is being accelerated, the rural road system is in disrepair, and waterways and ports are being altered (Fedeler and Heady; Rudel and Payne). All of these changes increase the pressure on the marketing system and increase the demand for specialized marketing services.