ISA » Transportation

Market Access is Crumbling

Historically, the abundant roads, bridges, railways and waterways in Illinois have given our soybean growers an advantage over those in other countries. Illinois' infrastructure has even offered greater transportation advantages than most states.

Transportation Fact Sheet (PDF)

Today, however, our state's transportation advantage is weakening due to an aging infrastructure. Roads, bridges, railways and waterways in disrepair are causing restrictions and delays that are costing farmers, processors and end users money.

The Cost of Poor Infrastructure

The current inadequacies of the Illinois transportation system mean farmers may be forced to detour 20 to 50 miles to bring their crops to market, costing an additional 5 cents per bushel. For example, a 20-mile detour would add $160 in transportation cost for a farmer averaging 40 bushels per acre in an 80 acre field at $4 diesel prices.¹

Transportation underpins every aspect of the Illinois soy industry from farms, grain elevators and soybean processors to livestock operations, food processors and export companies. Partnership and collaboration are essential to ensuring a healthy statewide transportation infrastructure.

Funded in part by the Illinois soybean checkoff, ISA is working to restore efficient soybean transportation in Illinois and the rest of the U.S. together with the Soy Transportation Coalition (STC) -- a group including 10 soybean-producing states, the American Soybean Association and the United Soybean Board.

Learn More

		Roads and Bridges More than 15 percent of Illinois' bridges are in disrepair, forcing farmers to take alternate routes when hauling soybeans.		Railways More than 7,000 miles of railroad tracks connect Illinois to domestic and international markets and many will be unable to handle the increased loads that result from higher yields.
		Waterways Illinois has more than 1,000 miles of navigable rivers on which soybeans are shipped. Half of the locks and dams along these rivers have surpassed their 50-year life spans and are in great need of maintenance.		Containers & Intermodal Transportation New research shows the potential profitability of shipping soybeans using containers.
		What You Can Do Read how you can help inform and educate others about Illinois' transportation infrastructure issues.		Additional Resources These helpful links and materials provide more information on soybean transportation.

Find more information about other transportation issues in the news by reading our press releases.

¹Example derived based on analysis on Page 75 of "Illinois Infrastructure Assessment and Economic Impact Relative to Grain Movements, Biofuels, Livestock and Further Food Processing." March 2011