Alan Barrett is the Director of Research and Consulting for HIgby Barrett LLC. He is an accomplished commodity economist with more than 25 years of experience in futures and cash markets with a focus on cotton, commodity projects, non-traditional agricultural products, transportation and supply chain studies. Alan spent six years as a commodity futures broker. His expertise encompasses feasibility studies of oilseed crushing plants (soybean canola, and cottonseed), grain elevators, export elevators, shuttle elevators, grain container operations, flourmills and other processing facilities. Alan also has conducted transportation supply chain studies for grains, oilseeds, fertilizer, coal, natural gas, crude oil, and petroleum products. Alan has considerable experience in non-traditional agricultural products such as coal, coke, natural gas, chemicals, hydraulic fracturing fluid, hydraulic fracturing proppants, glycerin, fertilizer, micronutrients, salt, limestone, cement, iron ore, pig iron, and steel, especially feed ingredients. Mr. Barrett has a BS and MS in Agricultural Economics from the University of Tennessee.
China Tariffs Altering Internal Trade Flows
For most products, logistics begin at the factory and end at the retail store or warehouse. For transportation, this creates a ratable service because the…
High Water Limiting U.S. Agricultural Exports
The current flooding taking place in the upper Midwestern United States sheds light on the U.S. waterways system and the need for infrastructure investment. The…
Highway BR-163 in Northern Brazil Reopened; Issues Remain
Talk of improving Brazil’s highway system has long been a topic of interest as it would improve their competitiveness in the world market. Although the…
Transportation Infrastructure Projects Improving Safety
The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) has demonstrated in reports the benefits of improved environmental and safety conditions with a better transportation system. This is…
Soy Oil Suppliers’ Profits Threatened by Booming U.S. Crude Oil Production
The availability and steady cost of transportation equipment is often taken for granted. A major cost increase in transportation equipment can surprise suppliers because the…
Ocean Freight Rate Declines, Helping U.S. Farmers
As a soybean surplus country, exports are important to the U.S., making it critical that the country continues to improve its transportation system to accommodate…
Harsh Winter Impacts Barge Rates and Basis Levels
When transportation infrastructure experiences issues, people pay attention. On a positive note, disruptions provide concrete demonstrations as to how the waterway system impacts farmers’ cash…
Superior Logistics: U.S. Soy Industry Benefits from Olmsted Locks and Dam on Ohio River
In October 2018, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Louisville District opened the long-awaited Olmsted Locks and Dam on the Ohio River, a major river artery…
River Conditions Impact the Movement of U.S. Soybeans
The inland Mississippi River system plays a major role in transporting commodities, especially soybeans. The inland Mississippi River system is comprised of navigable waterways that…