News

MO grain elevators prep for longer river delays

Grain elevators are making more space to hold commodities in anticipation of continued barge delays on the Mississippi River. In Silex, Missouri, Central Elevator is repairing and certifying older grain storage structures that haven’t been used in up to 10 years. General manager Sam Sullivan says the elevator typically moves soybeans by December or January. “If we’re not, I think we have a good plan in place to buy and hold until we can move it, as long as basis doesn’t kill us.” River levels improved in areas due to the recent rains, but more moisture is needed to fully replenish the river. In the meantime, the Waterways Council’s Paul Rhode tells Brownfield USDA is looking at working with grain elevators and warehouses to develop temporary grain storage space. “It is certainly something not only on USDA’s radar, but it is becoming a bigger priority for USDA as we get deeper into harvest.”