Drought in the midwestern states has continued to challenge yield outlooks throughout the season. As farmers are nearing harvest, grain transportation might also be troubled as Mississippi River levels are dangerously low in some areas. Barge traffic might be slowed or even stopped until water levels change, hindering grain transportation to the Gulf of Mexico.

The solution is costly — cargo is reduced, which will cost shippers money as they are paying the same amount of freight to ship less and create the need for more barges to pick up the slack.

Read more about drought impacts on the Mississippi River levels.