According to the USDA, the number of grain barges being unloaded in New Orleans during September and October dropped significantly. Typically, 30-40 barges can move down the river together, and the new restriction says no more than 25 after river closures and restrictions on barge companies reduced the bar tow. The tonnage movement has been even weaker. Since September, tonnage going through locks was down more than 40 percent below recent years.
