News

Mississippi River levels improving

Barge traffic is picking up steam along the Mississippi River just in time for the delivery of spring ag products.

Mike Steenhoek, executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition, says some river levels have improved this winter.

“We’re seeing a real return to normalcy,” he said, “particularly in the further southern portion of the river. This is kind of the Memphis, Tennessee on south to the Gulf of Mexico. We’re hearing export facilities report pretty normal barge traffic arriving at their facilities.”

But he tells Brownfield other parts of the river remain low.

“Where you are seeing some remaining concerns is in the St. Louis to Cairo, Illinois area,” Steenhoek said. “That area is significant because that is where the Ohio River meets up with the Mississippi River and then you get this big influx of water.”

Steenhoek says now is a critical time for farmers to receive their fertilizer shipments for the upcoming growing season.