Canada’s major railway companies will be able to generate greater per-tonne revenues for moving regulated western Canadian grain in 2018-19 following an April 25 ruling by the Canadian Transportation Agency. The CTA announced Wednesday that the Volume Related Composite Price Index (VRCPI) will increase 2.8 percent in the 2018-19 crop year. The VRCPI is a […] Read more
Barley
Rail backlog strands more grain on Prairies
The grain monitor says at least two million more tonnes of grain than usual are still stored on prairie farms because of the rail backlog. Mark Hemmes, president of Quorum Corp., said the exact number is hard to pin down. “We’re between two and 2.5 million tonnes more sitting on farms than what we would […] Read more
Arysta takes ‘asset light-high touch’ approach
Chemical company enters into relationships with other corporations rather than building manufacturing infrastructure
Expect to see more of Arysta LifeScience Canada in the coming months and years, say company officials. The crop chemical company is known in Western Canada for its Group 2 herbicide products such as Everest and is now focused on building a diverse portfolio of products for prairie farmers. “This is a pivotal time for […] Read more
Strike date nears at CP
Canadian Pacific Railway said last week a “significant gap” remains between the company and railway employees represented by a pair of labour unions: the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). About 3,000 TCRC engineers and train conductors as well as 360 IBEW signal maintainers could go on strike […] Read more
Feed barley price climbs higher than malt
Feed barley has been feeling pressure recently because of higher export volume and increasing corn prices
WINNIPEG (CNS) — A tight supply of barley has pushed feed prices higher than prices for malt barley in Western Canada. “(Feed barley prices) make some of these other prices look a bit ridiculous. There’s no demand from the domestic maltsters because they’ve all been plugged up ever since harvest,” said Rod Green with Central […] Read moreShipping feedgrains to Alta. feedlots becoming a problem
WINNIPEG (CNS Canada) — Spring road bans are causing problems shipping feedgrains to feedlots in Alberta. “The supply is actually there at the farmgate but getting the supply from the farmgate to the end-user means more truck logistics and higher freight rates typically,” said Jim Beusekom with Market Place Commodities in Lethbridge. As well, the […] Read more
Transport bill passage down to wire
Farm organizations lauded the passing of an amended transportation reform bill, Bill C-49, in the Senate last week, but the changes still have to clear the Liberal majority in the House of Commons. Parliament is on a break until April 16 and it’s unknown when MPs will deal with the legislation. Farmers want it passed, […] Read more
Railways should pay demurrage: APAS
The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan is calling on the railways to pay demurrage costs incurred because of the rail backlog. President Todd Lewis said farmers shouldn’t have to pay because they aren’t responsible. Demurrage fees for ships waiting at port for grain range between $11,000 and $13,000 per day. APAS said there are more […] Read more
Two grain amendments made to transport bill
The Senate transport committee has reported Bill C-49 with amendments, including several related to grain movement. The bill now goes to the Senate for third reading, where further amendments could be made before it moves back to the House of Commons. Among the amendments of interest to grain shippers is one to give the Canadian […] Read more
Railways miss their own delivery targets
There are many factors that can affect how quickly harvested grain moves from a remote farm location in Western Canada to an outbound ocean vessel on Canada’s West Coast. According to sources in the grain industry, the main factors behind this year’s shipment delays aren’t much different than usual — bad weather and bad industry […] Read more
