The historic flooding on the Mississippi River and major tributaries is negatively impacting grain movement to export markets. The high water has caused closures on the Mississippi with more anticipated.  Randy Gordon with the National Grain and Feed Association says the Mississippi River was closed Wednesday between mile markers 179 and 184 near St. Louis.

He says this is a unique event due to the widespread nature of the flood and the fact its happening in the winter. The Mississippi River is at record water levels and as a result barge transportation is being disrupted.

He says all the water from the region is flowing into the lower Mississippi which will impact the leading export region for corn and beans for the next three to four weeks.   The New Orleans port system accounts for 58 percent of U.S. soybean exports and 67 percent of U.S. corn exports.

Gordon is unsure of the impact on basis levels, but with competition from South America for exports any disruption will be negative.  Fortunately, railroads are well positioned to accommodate volumes that need to be diverted from barge.