NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV) — Severe winter weather is disrupting grain transportation across major U.S. corridors, raising short-term risks for grain movement and basis levels. Extreme cold in the Midwest has slowed barge traffic on the Mississippi River System, while historic flooding in the Pacific Northwest briefly shut down key rail lines serving export terminals.
Ice accumulation has challenged barge operations since early December. Navigation on the Upper Mississippi River ended in late November, and ice has since slowed traffic on the Illinois River, where some barges have required ice couplings. These conditions have contributed to persistently low water levels on the Lower Mississippi River, where draft and tow-size restrictions have been implemented by at least one operator near St. Louis.
At the same time, heavy rainfall from an atmospheric river caused record flooding in western Washington, temporarily closing BNSF Railway’s Scenic and Stampede Subdivisions — critical routes to Puget Sound grain terminals. While service has since resumed, the disruptions highlight vulnerability during peak export periods, even as Pacific Northwest grain inspections remain above average.
Separately, Iowa temporarily waived hours-of-service rules for hauling heating fuels to address winter energy shortages.
Export volumes remain positive year-to-date, but weaker soybean loadings and slowing wheat movement hint at early bottlenecks in global demand or river logistics. Farmers should watch basis levels and freight conditions as export competition heats up.
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