The American Soybean Association is investing checkoff funds in a feasibility study to determine the cost and approach to dredging the lower reaches of the Mississippi river. Currently maximum depth of channels is 45 feet with the intent to increase draught to 50 feet to accommodate vessels that can carry 79,000 metric tons (2.9 million bushels) of soybeans compared to the current 65,000 metric tons (2.4 million bushels). It is estimated that larger loads will benefit farmers located within 250 miles of the Mississippi river to the extent of 13 cents per bushel in basis.
