"Almost 70 percent of U.S. ag exports travel the upper Mississippi River and the Illinois waterway system"

This quote by Jerry Costello highlights the importance of the upper Mississippi River and the Illinois waterway system to the United States farming exports. It suggests that a large majority of the agricultural exports from the United States are transported through these waterways. This is likely due to the reality that these waterways offer a practical and cost-effective way to transfer products. In addition, the waterways are most likely to be well-maintained and safe for transportation, making them an ideal choice for transporting agricultural exports. This quote also highlights the importance of these waterways to the United States economy, as they are accountable for transporting a big portion of the country's agricultural exports. This is most likely to have a positive impact on the US economy, as it permits the efficient and cost-efficient transportation of goods.