Flooding in U.S. Midwest Interrupting Processing, Rail Transport; Will Have Long-Term Effect on Ag

Catastrophic flooding across the U.S. Midwest in mid- March has interrupted grain processing, rail transportation, and it is believed it will have a long-term effect on the region’s agricultural production. As of March 19, two-thirds of the counties in Nebraska were declared as being in a state of emergency, with crops losses estimating $400 million, and another $400 to $500 million in livestock losses.

Flooding also affected operations at Ardent Mills’ grain elevator in Fremont, Nebraska, which has a storage capacity of 1.2 million bushels, and Manildra Milling Hamburg, in Hamburg, Iowa, among many others. While record flooding had greatly impacted rail transportation across South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, and Missouri, resulting in major disruption to BNSF Railway service.

All major roads connecting Freemont have been closed, virtually isolating the town, and Ardent Mills’ team members are currently assessing its operational status. For Manildra Group, the full impact or length of the flooding, on its Iowa location is still undetermined

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