NASHVILLE, TN (RFD NEWS) — Grain shippers using the Arkansas River will need to plan around partial lock closures this summer.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says six locks on the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System will be affected from June 15 through September 30.
The locks, spanning from Fort Smith to Little Rock, will close daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and reopen overnight, with a 70-foot width restriction for barge tows.
The timing matters for the movement of wheat, soybeans, and corn. In 2025, 1.4 million tons of grain moved through Norell Lock and Dam 1 at the mouth of the Arkansas River, led by wheat and soybeans.
Through the first 19 weeks of 2026, grain movement through that lock reached 583,000 tons, the strongest pace for that period since 2022.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee’s expanded ag export facility adds more capacity for DDGS, soybeans, and soybean meal through the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence system.
Farm-Level Takeaway: River construction could slow some grain logistics, while new export capacity adds another outlet for Upper Midwest products.
Tony St. James, RFD News Markets Specialist
U.S. grain export inspections stayed solid for the week ending May 7, with corn still leading the export pace and soybeans posting a strong weekly rebound.
U.S. beef imports are running at a record pace while exports are falling, reflecting tight domestic cattle supplies and high U.S. beef prices.
Cattle analysts say the U.S. beef cattle herd rebuild still faces major hurdles despite some minor positive signals noted in certain regions.
Andy Tauer from the National Pork Board discusses efforts to boost pork demand and how the industry is responding to trade restrictions related to pseudorabies.
Dr. Robert Ellis joins us to discuss economic challenges in agriculture, available resources for farmers, and ways producers can evaluate practices to strengthen their operations.
USDA’s first 2026/27 outlook shows tighter supplies across several markets, led by wheat, corn, cotton, rice, beef, and sugar.
