Mississippi River
Weather news and maritime trade news related to the Mississippi River from RFD-TV News.
A Farm Bureau economist says EPA’s Hypoxia Task Force has made encouraging progress in reducing nitrogen runoff in the Mississippi River Basin, but work remains on phosphorus.
China may no longer serve as a consistent anchor market for U.S. cotton exports. Lewis Williamson of HTS Commodities joined us to discuss the factors influencing planting decisions, river conditions, and what producers are considering as they finalize acreage plans for the season.
Strong export demand supports barge markets, but weather risks remain.
Tight storage could widen basis and limit marketing flexibility.
Reliable waterways lower costs, protect export demand, and support long-term farm profitability.
Weather-driven transportation disruptions can tighten logistics, affect basis levels, and delay grain movement during winter months.
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.
Hunter Biram, an extension economist with the University of Arkansas, is tracking Mississippi River water levels as grain shippers shift their focus to transportation following the wrap-up of fall harvest.
Persistently low Mississippi River levels are turning logistics challenges into pricing risks — tightening margins for grain producers and exporters across the heartland.
Corn and wheat inspections outpaced last year, but soybean movement remains seasonally active yet behind, keeping basis and freight dynamics in focus by corridor.