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The future of transportation and infrastructure and how it impacts agriculture

Farmers depend on reliable infrastructure and there are some challenges that must be addressed to maintain the sustainability of the US food system.

Paul Rohde, vice president for the Midwest region of the Waterways Council, says the US must invest in the upkeep of waterways.

He uses locks and dams as an example…”We’ve enjoyed that mode and low transportation costs that it provides but unfortunately haven’t been investing in its upkeep,” he says.

He says capacity also needs to be addressed, which can be done through authorizing bills and construction dollars.

Audio: Paul Rohde, Waterways Council, INC

Ken Eriksen, the head of IHS Markit, Agribusiness Intelligence, says farmers are not in a position to plan for infrastructure issues, especially with the current agricultural economy.  

“They’re trying to feed to world, feed the United States economy, and really take care of their families to at the end of the day,” he says. “And when you have interruptions out there -that’s an immediate hit and all of the sudden they have to scamper or scram to look at what decision they need to make.”

Audio: Ken Eriksen, IHS Markit, Agribusiness Intelligence

They say funding must be set aside for infrastructure.

Brownfield spoke to Rohde and Eriksen at the 2019 National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention in Kansas City.