Grain Analysts Brace for Storage and Transportation Capacity Issues Ahead of Record Harvests

CoBank Lead Grains Economist Tanner Ehmke joins us to share insight and concerns over current grain storage capacity as export demand lags.

DENVER, Colo. (RFD-TV) — As U.S. farmers prepare for what could be a record-setting grain harvest, concerns are growing across the ag sector. With export demand lagging and both storage and transportation capacity under pressure, many are bracing for a challenging close to the season.

CoBank Lead Grains Economist Tanner Ehmke joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report to share insight into current grain storage capacity.

In his interview with RFD-TV News, Ehmke notes that while overall capacity may be sufficient nationwide, certain regions could face tight conditions depending on crop size and local infrastructure. He explained that grain elevators will be forced to make difficult decisions this fall — from managing space constraints to balancing grain quality and timing.

Ehmke also pointed to low water levels on the Mississippi River, which could once again disrupt grain transportation and slow export movement, adding to logistical strain. He emphasized that the coming months will test both supply chain efficiency and market adaptability, as farmers and handlers work to move a large crop amid limited export opportunities and ongoing infrastructure challenges.

Related Stories
Corn exports remain strong, while soybeans and wheat shift week to week on river conditions and global demand.
Tyson’s Nebraska plant closure and falling Cattle on Feed numbers send cattle markets tumbling. Analysts warn of tighter supplies, weak margins, and rising global competition.
A regional snapshot of harvest pace, crop conditions, logistics, and livestock economics across U.S. agriculture, prepared by RFD-TV Markets Specialist Tony St. James, for the week of Monday, November 24, 2025.
Farmers with unpaid Hansen-Mueller grain should verify delivery records immediately and file indemnity claims quickly, as coverage rules differ sharply by state.
Shaun Haney, host of RealAg Radio, provides the latest insight into the timing, expectations, and broader considerations of the potential aid package, despite increasing exports to China.
According to November’s Cattle on Feed Report, Nebraska now leads the nation in cattle feeding as tighter supplies continue to reshape regional market power and long-term price dynamics.
Higher rail tariffs and tighter Canadian supplies will keep oat transportation costs firm into 2026.
Lower U.S. and Mexican production means tighter sugar supplies and greater reliance on imports headed into 2026.
Mike Steenhoek of the Soy Transportation Coalition discusses industry reactions to the proposed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger, the Surface Transportation Board’s review process, and current conditions on the Mississippi River.