3 minute read
Keeping Things Moving
As a farmer, I've witnessed firsthand the essential role that Illinois transportation infrastructure plays in efficiently exporting our soybeans. Each and every Illinois farmer relies on our state's robust transportation system to get their commodities from farm to market.
Moving our crop from the farm to the world is a true team effort. The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) is our steadfast ally, working tirelessly to keep our soybeans on the move, from our fields to the ports in the Gulf of Mexico, where they set sail for destinations around the globe.
One of our biggest advantages? Rivers. Picture this: the Illinois and Ohio rivers merge with the Mississippi, creating this incredible network of loading points for barges. Our soybeans essentially have their own expressway to the Gulf ports. The efficiency of this river network ensures that soybeans can journey from our Illinois farms to the Gulf in just 11 days, on average, ready to embark on their global voyage.
Then there's the railroads – about 10,000 miles of tracks weave across our state. That's our ticket to reach buyers worldwide. Shipping our soybeans via containers is a game-changer, as it allows international buyers to purchase IP and non-GM soybeans. We're not just sending our soybeans; we're sending quality straight from Illinois, which has built a prestigious reputation in the global market.
But let's not forget the roads. With over 18,000 miles of highways and connections to the rivers and rails, Illinois can get its soybeans to where they need to be. Supported by approximately 8,000 bridges, this road system links farms to crucial transport points, enabling the bulk shipment of soybeans.
This entire transportation network serves as our lifeline. We, as farmers, are not just contributors to a global network. We also play a pivotal role in ensuring that our soybeans reach plates and farms thousands of miles away. This is thanks to ISA and the partnerships they have fostered. These partnerships include local collaborators who help ensure the system remains up to date and the international customers who prefer to purchase soy from Illinois. As a result, we remain prepared for any challenges the future might present, ensuring that Illinois soybeans continue to have a lasting impact worldwide.
It's this collective effort that instills confidence in us farmers. We are assured that our soybeans will consistently find their way to those who need them, regardless of the distance. This assurance fuels our determination, knowing that from our Illinois fields, we are nourishing and sustaining the world.
