The continuing drop in the Mississippi River water level is creating new transportation headaches for farmers now, and for 2023.
Is the Mississippi River drying up? That’s unlikely, but for 2022 this stalwart part of a vibrant transportation infrastructure has been challenged by the continuing Midwest drought. Recently, barge traffic was halted on the river, and when it resumed there were limits imposed on how barges.
Ginger Rowsey, Delta Farm Press, has been following this ongoing river issue and she discusses what she’s learned so far. And she shares what she learned talking with Tug Captain, Eric Badeaux, a 40-plus year river veteran. He discussed what’s been happening to him on the river. Rowsey also points out that while grain flows are limited which is weakening basis at river terminals, there is another challenge – moving fertilizer for the 2023 crop.
This is not a short-term challenge, and will crimp the flow of goods into the winter, when parts of the system shut down. Give it a listen.
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