Expanded Export Routes At Mercy Of Rail Labor Dispute

Low water levels along the Mississippi River have given farmers and grain exporters reason to consider alternate routes for their grains.  Ben Brown, senior research associate with the University of Missouri’s Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute, says not as many shipments are heading through ports along the Gulf of Mexico.

However, moving grain to those ports results in more reliance on America’s railroads, which could screech to a halt if the threat of a work stoppage becomes reality as soon as December 9th.

Ag groups including the Soy Transportation Coalition continue to support efforts expanding the Port of Grays Harbor, Washington and encourage use of the Saint Lawrence Seaway.  However, even with historically low water levels, a majority of America’s grain exports continue to course along the lower Mississippi River to their destinations.