The American Farm Bureau Federation wants Congress to approve more money to finance major renovations to the country's inland waterway system.  The additional funding is needed to keep U.S. farmers competitive, AFBF says.

"We cannot afford to wait," AFBF board member and Minnesota Farm Bureau President Al Christopherson told a congressional group.  "We cannot afford to fall behind and lose markets that we have worked so hard to gain.  One of the most important things Congress can do to help farmers is to provide a low-cost, efficient transportation infrastructure."

Christopherson made the comments to members of congress from the 10 states that make up the Mississippi River Caucus.

AFBF wants Congress to increase funding so the Corps of Engineers can begin waterway improvements, especially pre-engineering and design studies for lock chamber extensions for certain locks and dams along the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers.

Legislation also is being sought for construction of 1,200-foot lock chambers, since barge tows now must be split and moved through older locks in two sections before resuming a trip up or down the river system.

About one-third of U.S. agricultural production is exported, and nearly 60% is moved down the Mississippi River system to ports on the Gulf of Mexico.