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Grain elevators monitoring river levels

A southern Illinois grain elevator manager continues to keep an eye on Mississippi River levels as harvest winds down.

John Boeker is the southwest region manager for Total Grain Marketing. He tells Brownfield earlier in the harvest season they could not transfer grain to the river.

“The water level has come up some, has stabilized here, and has allowed us to ship some stuff to the river. So right now I think things will flow pretty good for the end of harvest.”

He says storage management and patience have been key.

“The water level has come up some, has stabilized here, and has allowed us to ship some stuff to the river. So right now I think things will flow pretty good for the end of harvest.”

Boeker says he is hopeful that forecasted rains will help elevate the river before freezing temperatures arrive, but if the situation worsens by winter they may have to look at less efficient means of transportation to get grain to the Gulf.

Boeker oversees 5 elevator locations in Mulberry Grove, Sandoval, Hookdale, Watson and Louisville. He says about 70% of corn and 85% of beans are harvested in the area and yields have varied depending on where rain fell during the growing season.