Cash Market Moves

The Federal Nagara, the first official saltie of the 2025 ocean shipping season, arrived in the Port of Duluth-Superior April 21.

The Cache River flooding has been almost nonstop for Arkansas farmers in its path who need to finish spring planting.

Starting April 13, the CBOT launched a new hard red spring wheat contract which will trade alongside the Minneapolis MIAX spring wheat contract.

The heavy rains in the Ohio, Tennessee and Mississippi river valleys over the past five days have caused the Ohio River to overflow its banks, slowing river transportation.

A soybean farmer testified at the March 24 USTR hearing concerning the proposal to place hefty fees on Chinese ship operators and Chinese-built ships and how it would financially harm U.S. farmers.

Every spring, the shipping season in St. Paul, Minnesota begins when the first tow pushing barges makes it through Lake Pepin and eventually locks through Hastings, Minnesota, at Lock and Dam No. 2.

The U.S. Trade Representative is proposing fees and restrictions on Chinese ship operators and Chinese-built ships, causing concern in the U.S. maritime industry.

The office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is proposing fees on Chinese-made ships entering U.S. ports, which could be financially detrimental to U.S. businesses, including the agricultural industry.

In their annual early season planting survey, the National Cotton Council reports 2025 U.S. cotton acres will fall, opening the door for corn to fill the gap.

The Twin Ports of Duluth-Superior reported a strong year for grain tonnage in 2024.

The Chicago Mercantile Exchange announced it will launch micro grain and oilseed futures contracts to include corn, Chicago wheat, soybean, soybean meal and soybean oil.

One day after the inauguration of Donald Trump, a new chairman was named to head the STB.

Shipping season will end on the Great Lakes for the winter as the last of the Soo Locks close on Jan. 15.

Late Jan. 8, the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) announced a tentative contract agreement.

The Bulk Carrier Vessel Federal Biscay left Duluth Saturday evening, becoming the last oceangoing departure of the 2024 Duluth-Superior navigation season.

U.S. farmers harvested a near-record crop in 2024 even after a wet spring in some areas stalled planting.

The last tow leaving St. Paul, Minnesota, on Dec. 1 put an end to the 2024 shipping season on the far Upper Mississippi River. In the meantime, levels on the Lower Mississippi River are falling again.

Just as renewed contract talks began between International Longshoremen's Association and United States Maritime Alliance, they quickly ended as automation once again became a sticking point with the union.

The Longshore Workers Union (ILWU 514) issued a 72-hour strike notice to the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) on Nov. 4; the BCMEA then issued a lock out of workers that same day.

According to the North Dakota Wheat Commission 2024 crop quality reports for durum and spring wheat, both crops overall graded number one, with proteins lower than average for spring wheat and higher for durum.