Grain Transportation and Marketing Channels

Abstract

Crop production varies geographically, as do demand centers and transportation networks. Barley production occurs primarily in the northern plains, away from primary river transportation networks and closer to the Pacific Ocean export ports. Wheat is grown primarily in Kansas and sorghum is grown primarily in Kansas and the panhandles of Oklahoma and Texas, some of which may be near the Missouri River but much is away from primary river transportation routes to Gulf ports. Alternatively, corn and soybeans are widely grown in the Mississippi River basin and its major tributaries such as the Missouri and Illinois rivers. Given these differences, exports of these commodities are likely to follow different routes and utilize different transportation systems to reach their destination.