Iowa farmers expect fewer problems shipping their crops this year because railroads have made improvements and the market may encourage more farmers to store their grain initially.

The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that railroads have upgraded their networks since the problems of the last couple years. And the low grain prices may prompt more farmers to hold onto their harvests.

It also helps that the low crude oil prices have slowed the growth of hydraulic fracturing mining, which ships oil and mining materials by rail.

Mike Steenhoek with the Des Moines-based Soy Transportation Coaltion says he expects rail service to continue to be sufficient throughout harvest.