RC Trucking Inc./Redding Transportation

10/29/2026

DELAYED SOYBEAN HARVEST

What a strange harvest season we've experienced so far.

Just as the soybean crop was approaching maturity, Mother Nature decided to deliver another round of rain. Then it happened again, and again. According to our local cooperative manager, harvest has barely gotten underway in our area. That said, combine and trucking activity has noticeably increased over the last few days.

Hopefully, we can avoid the rain currently in the forecast and give farmers an opportunity to make meaningful progress in the fields. Everyone is ready to get this crop harvested and into storage.

DIESEL FUEL

Everyone is tired of hearing about diesel prices, so I'll keep this brief.

Elevated fuel costs may very well be the new normal. Trucking companies have operated at break-even levels, or worse, for far too long. The reality is that rising costs are impacting every part of the supply chain, and everyone is feeling the effects.

TORO WEBINAR

I had the opportunity to participate as a panelist in a recent TORO webinar. The event drew more than 60 attendees from 25 different states.

Alongside two other panelists, I participated in discussions focused on cost tracking, freight pricing strategies, and driver retention. While these events are designed for panelists to share ideas and best practices with the audience, I often find that I learn as much as anyone participating.

I appreciate the opportunities I've been given over the past year and look forward to being involved in more events moving forward.

OUTLOOK

While I remain optimistic that the market is beginning to turn, I still see some headwinds ahead.

Fuel remains the most obvious challenge, but nearly every operational expense continues to increase. With the election taking place next week, hopefully we will gain some clarity and begin to get a better understanding of what lies ahead.

One positive development for carriers is the return of some pricing power. After spending much of the last four years on the opposite side of that equation, this shift is both welcome and necessary.

Some carriers may attempt to take advantage of changing market conditions. We will not. However, we will continue to price freight responsibly, build in reasonable profit margins, and utilize fuel surcharge programs to protect against cost volatility.

Trucking remains a critical component of the supply chain, and that reality must be recognized. The last several years have pushed trucking capacity to the brink as pricing pressure weighed heavily on carriers. At the end of the day, sustainable transportation requires sustainable profitability. We all have to eat, or eventually the entire system suffers.

SUMMARY

Not much has changed since I began writing these newsletters last spring. There may be some slight improvement in market conditions, but many of the same challenges remain.

I've enjoyed sharing my thoughts and observations, and I plan to continue doing so. I don't follow a strict publishing schedule. I simply put pen to paper when my head gets full and there's something worth sharing.

I hope these updates provide some value, and I sincerely appreciate your support.

In the meantime, if you need reliable, on-time, dedicated dry bulk freight service, or simply need something moved right now, give us a call.

Side note: Pictures are from the early years when we were still farming.

Thanks for riding along....

Dan

10/28/2026

Strung out from Galveston to Kansas City today

10/26/2026

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0ZDZwGHWV8

Here’s the link to the recording of the webinar Dan participated in last week. The call included people from 25 states around the country involved in trucking. A long listen but educational.

In this Toro TMS webinar, hear from three haulers discuss how they ...

10/22/2026

Lee getting heavy with apples in Washington State today, headed to Louisburg Kansas to make some apple c***r and apple c***r donuts 🍩

10/08/2026

Ole Blue backing the 3 legged dog in for repairs. Travis says he’s ready to hit the open road!

10/07/2026

HARVEST KICKOFF
It feels like the final five minutes before kickoff in the rivalry game we have anticipated all year. Harvest is here, and with the dry weather forecast, I expect it to be in full swing any day.
Early reports range from generous yields to disappointing ones—business as usual for local farmers.

FULLY SEATED
As of yesterday, we are fully seated and ready for the challenges of fall harvest. This marks RC Trucking Inc.’s 30th harvest. We have seen it all and solved harvest logistics problems longer than most. To borrow a line from a movie back in the day, “Who ya gonna call?”

FUEL
The challenge of high fuel prices remains. We appreciate the customers who have worked with us to offset these added costs. This situation has changed our bidding process and how we will do business going forward. Fuel surcharges have not traditionally been standard in bulk freight, but they will now be part of our bids. Although we rarely use signed contracts, we have always treated every verbal commitment as binding. In the past, bulk freight companies typically absorbed added costs from rising fuel prices and other operational disruptions. Going forward, all bids will include a fuel surcharge clause, allowing either party to step away if the fuel surcharge is not accepted. We believe this is the fairest approach for both our customers and us.

COMPANY NEWS
We are pleased to welcome back our longtime mechanic and friend, Travis Graybeal. Travis is a valuable member of our team, and we are excited to have him return. His first few weeks have already been busy: he has caught up on trailer wheel seals and brakes and installed a front differential on one of our tractors. We are glad to have his knowledge and experience back in the shop.
On a sad note, one of our drivers, John Mattox, recently died in an ATV accident. John was a good driver and an even better person. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.

LOOKING AHEAD
As harvest ramps up, winter weather is not far behind. We are preparing our equipment with pre-winter maintenance. Because our hopper trailers move feed products across the country year-round, they must be ready for the harsh conditions ahead. We are also reminding drivers about safe driving practices. Our goal is to keep operations moving while keeping everyone safe on the road.

SUMMARY
The bulk freight market is changing, and now is the time to stay focused and push forward. Ongoing market pressures continue to reduce trucking capacity, generally shifting pricing in carriers’ favor. This is our opportunity to build trust and market share by understanding our cost per mile and pricing profitably without taking advantage of customers. We remain focused on long-term success and on building relationships that benefit both sides.
Thanks for riding along…

Dan

09/28/2026

Sending our deepest condolences to the family of our driver and friend John Mattox. John has been driving for us since May of 2022 and sadly passed away this weekend in a tragic ATV accident. He will be missed!

09/28/2026

Max picking up his new Timpte in David City, Nebraska on Sunday.

09/26/2026

Avery reppin in Oklahoma

09/24/2026