CoBank - Strong US dollar, low Mississippi River limit grain movement & oilseed exports Robust export competition from Brazil and Russia also creating headwinds for US corn, soybean and wheat in the months aheadHistorically low water levels on the Mississippi River, which moves nearly half the US grain and oilseed exports, are limiting grain movement heading into peak fall harvest season (Exhibit 1). Correspondingly high barge freight rates on the Mississippi River are also pressuring interior basis values for corn and soybeans (Exhibit 2). CornOutstanding corn export sales start the new crop year leading last year’s sales pace by 6.7% with a much bigger crop and as exports flow through routes outside of the Mississippi River. Conspicuously absent from the export sales ledger for US corn is China, with outstanding sales down 64.8% YoY. Although the soybean export pace remains lethargic, domestic usage is strengthening.