Northern drought affects grain shipments in state

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry is monitoring low water levels, particularly at the Port of Lake Providence in East Carroll Parish, which is preventing shipments of grain, including corn and soybeans, from leaving the area. LDAF Commissioner Mike Strain is working with local and state officials on enlisting the help of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to dredge the area. “This issue could become disastrous, and we need the corps to focus on this problem,” Strain said today. “While Louisiana is not experiencing a drought, the rest of the country is. This is a problem for our farmers in the area and the economy. We’re in harvest season; and if our farmers can’t get their grain to market, it will impact their livelihood.” Grain travels from the Port of Lake Providence to the Port of Greater Baton Rouge, where it is shipped to the rest of the world. A barge can carry up to 1,600 tons of grain. If shipments aren’t made, Direct economic losses could potentially be up to $350 million. Louisiana agricultural exports totaled $14.25 billion in the first quarter of 2012, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Division. “This is why dredging all Louisiana ports is necessary,” Strain adds. “Louisiana is a major exporter of corn and soybeans, among other commodities.” Strain is meeting with Lake Providence Port Executive Director Wyly Gilfoil and emergency managers to discuss possible solutions to this problem.