As of September 8, several Louisiana port export elevators were beginning to handle grain and the basis (price difference vs. futures markets) was beginning to strengthen along the lower Mississippi River. A number of the elevators are north of New Orleans and were beyond the worst part of the storm. Reports on September 8 indicated the shipping capacity was up to about 50 to 63 percent of full capacity. After the large number of barges tied up in the Memphis area are moved down and unloaded, Iowa river elevators may begin loading out some grain. However, it appears likely that capacity will be somewhat restricted for at least another month, and possibly longer.</p
