Water levels on the Mississippi River are low causing trouble to farmers and shippers who move grain down the river at harvest. With lower water conditions barges’ are being loaded lighter to avoid grounding and shippers aren’t moving as many barges down the river at once. Its’ left the river system less efficient and Mike Steenhoek with the Soy Transportation Collation says it makes it more expensive to move grain and other freight.
“Upward pressure on costs, on barge rates. We have seen over the period of the year, 41% increase in barge rates, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.”
Just about the only thing that will solve the low water situation on the river is rainfall – and for now the extended forecast around the Midwest shows October starting out dry.
***Courtesy of farmweeknow.com***
