Conditions along the Mississippi River continue to deteriorate, according to Soy Transportation Coalition’s Mike Steenhoek.
He says the barge and towing industry has a 25 barge maximum tow size south of St. Louis. On a normal day, a single tow can have 30-40 barges.
He says the costs associated with shipping soybeans has skyrocketed 218 percent in the last year. Currently, one ton of soybeans cost more than $90. One year earlier, the same shipment was about $28.
He says ultimately, this will result in money lost for the farmers and higher costs passed on to the consumer.
