Severely low water levels on the Mississippi River have slowed grain transportation.

South Central Illinois farmer Dan Hiestand tells Brownfield this is a major concern as they harvest corn and soybeans.

“The river is low so they can only fill the barges half to two-thirds full to keep them from grounding. That is a concern, especially right now during harvest time, when barges are most in demand.”

The USDA’s latest grain transportation report shows tonnages per southbound barge are down more than 20% and the number of barges per tow have been reduced as much as 38%.

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