Farmers’ $200K fuels Milwaukee soybean surge

April 2, 2026 | Bethany Baratta

Investment in a project near the Port of Milwaukee will expand soybean shipment capabilities through the inland waterways system and on to global markets.

Why it matters

Large soybean meal supplies coupled with China’s slowing of U.S. soybean purchases are putting downward pressure on soybean prices.

• Supply chain shocks in recent years shows that relying on multiple trade routes—instead of just one—is the way to go.
• The industry must continue to look for other buyers abroad.
• The Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway provides access to markets in Europe, North Africa, and other regions.

Zooming in

The Soy Transportation Coalition, supported by 14 soybean-growing states, the United Soybean Board and the American Soybean Association, put $200,000 toward the pre-construction efforts to expand export capabilities at The DeLong Co., Inc.

• Construction includes two grain storage silos, electrical service upgrades and additional handling equipment.
• The expansion of grain storage capacity for staging inbound and outbound grain by over 1.3 million bushels will improve soy transportation efficiency.
• This week’s check presentation at the Port of Milwaukee celebrates the collaboration and support behind the project.

He said it

“One of the things that the supply chain shocks and a lot of the global geopolitical turbulence that we've experienced over the last number of years has taught us is that you can't just put all of your eggs in one basket, and that really applies when it comes to supply chains. This investment in the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway is a part of that, a way of building resilience and redundancy for our supply chain to make us more competitive and well-positioned for success moving forward.” Mike Steenhoek, executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition

Written by Bethany Baratta.

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