In March, 16 U.S. farmers, industry leaders and journalists traveled to the Panama Canal and Brazil to see how transportation developments will help or harm U.S. agriculture.
Group Shot
The 2010 Top Producer Frontier Study Tour participants pause for a group photo at the Mira Flores locks on the Panama Canal.
Mike Steenhoek
The tour kicked off with a briefing from Soy Transportation Coalition Executive Director Mike Steenhoek. He explained the challenges the U.S. transportation system.
Ships in Line
Ships can wait in line for up to three days before they can pass through the canal.
Oil Tanker
An oil tanker passes through the locks on the Panama Canal.
Locks Opening
The existing locks on the canal are double locks/
New Channel
A new channel, set for completion in 2014, will accommodate ships twice the size of the current locks.
Maria Sanchez
Maria Sanchez, director of dry bulk marketing for the Panama Canal Authority, explains the benefits of the new canal to AgWeb Editor Greg Vincent.
Outdoor meat market
A outdoor meat market in Manaus, Brazil.
Black River Bridge
The new bridge on the Black River is the first to connect northern Brazil to the south.
Shipping Port
Panamax vessels can reach 600 miles inland to this port on the Black River.
farm road
Highways are improving in Brazil, but getting to farms from the main road can often be treacherous.
Small Town
Transportation of all types in Brazil.
Soybean Dump
The March soybean harvest at Weisul Agricola in Mato Grosso, Brazil.
Field shot
Fields are often several thousand acres in Brazil.
Transportation Issues
Weisul Agricola Vice President Gustavo Weisheimer talks transportation issues with Mike Steenhoek and STC chariman Dennis Campbell.
Spreading the soybeans
Technology doesn't replace all manual labor as this worker spreads soybeans to fit as much as possible on the truck. Transportation costs are 30% of the cost of production for Brazil's soybean farmers.
happy worker
A worker takes a much needed break from soybean harvest in Mato Grosso.
Churassca
Churasscas are common throughout Brazil.
Thunderstorm
This thunderstorm was in the same field where harvest was taking place, but the fields are so huge, it didn't reach where the combines were running.
Turned over truck
While roads are improving, heavy traffic and highways that rapidly deteriorate don't remove all the hazards.
Beef plant
The JBS beef packing plant in Mato Grosso represents huge potential for Brazil's livestock sector.
