Repeating Conditions: A look at current water levels along the mighty Mississippi River

All eyes are back on Mississippi River water levels as harvest season gears up across the country.

Two Illinois farmers in particular are worried how the levels will impact commodity prices this fall—especially as it gets closer to time to move crops to the Gulf.

Mike Steenhoek with the Soy Transportation Coalition says it could be the same historic conditions that we saw last year, with freight restrictions and higher prices.

The U.S. Geological Survey shared this graph of the river levels in St. Louis. The chart shows levels on Friday were -2.83 feet. The lowest reading during the awful conditions last year was -3.53 feet. The minimum operating limit is not far away at -4.97 feet.

Corn basis is sinking along those levels on the Mighty Mississippi as drought takes a toll for the second straight year.

Extension Economist with the University of Arkansas Hunter Biram joined us on Market Day Report for a further look into what those declining levels mean for farmers and an outlook on the upcoming weeks.

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