Viterra is opening a new merchandising office in Montreal, strengthening its presence in Eastern Canada. The office, which opened May 2, will increase the company’s ability to market food ingredients in Canada, the United States and Europe. “Our office in Montreal will play a central role in managing trade flows, freight activities and arbitrage opportunities, […] Read more
Stories by Adrian Ewins
Feds should announce plans for CWB quickly: grain handlers
The federal government should announce its plans for the Canadian Wheat Board as quickly as possible, said the executive director of the Western Grain Elevator Association. “It’s important the government signals what its intentions are early on and that changes be done in a thoughtful and measured way,” said Wade Sobkowich. By winning a majority […] Read more
CWB opponents seek the implementation of a voluntary wheat board
This story’s lead paragraph and its headline originally referred to “supporters” of the CWB – that should have been “critics.” Farm groups that oppose the Canadian Wheat Board’s single desk say they hope the Conservative government will use its new majority powers to implement a voluntary wheat board. The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association, which […] Read more
Hudson’s Bay route gets new head
A well-known name in prairie grain transportation is the new president of the Hudson Bay Route Association. Sinclair Harrison made his name as head of the Prairie Rail Car Coalition during its attempt to buy grain cars from the federal government. He takes over from Arnold Grambo, who has served on the association board for […] Read more
PotashCorp gives to air ambulance
PotashCorp has announced a $27 million program to provide air ambulance services across Saskatchewan, with special attention to rural, isolated and First Nations communities. While plans have not been finalized, the project will include an emergency medical services helicopter and the construction of a new hangar to provide a base of operations in Saskatoon. The […] Read more
Freight rates set to increase in coming year
Fluctuating fuel prices are blamed for a 3.5 percent increase in the cost of shipping grain in the coming crop year. That comes after an increase of $2.50 a tonne last year and a decline of $2.26 a tonne the year before that. The Canadian Transportation Agency announced the increase in the volume-related composite price […] Read more
Trade normal with Japan
Japan’s earthquake and nuclear crisis seem to have had little effect on its trade with Canada. “No, we haven’t seen any disruption in the pipeline,” said Lach Coburn, west coast manager for Cargill Ltd. “Fortunately, we didn’t have a lot of vessels heading to Japan at that particular time.” Most of Japan’s wheat and oilseed […] Read more
Viterra takes over terminal operations at Port of Montreal
The Montreal Port Authority has agreed to allow Viterra to lease and operate its grain terminal. The Montreal terminal is a federally licensed 262,000 tonne facility based in the deepest inland seaport in North America, with direct access to both major rail networks and access to various shipping destinations in Canada, the United States and […] Read more
Potash rail car facility planned near Saskatoon
Canpotex, the marketing arm of PotashCorp., Mosaic and Agrium, plans to build a $55 million rail car maintenance facility by the second half of next year. It will build the plant near Lanigan, Sask., about 135 kilometres from Saskatoon, with an eye to boosting the amount of potash the company can transport. The announcement is […] Read more
Ad campaign supports CWB friendly election candidates
Canadian Wheat Board supporters have launched a last-ditch bid to influence voters before the May 2 federal election. They are running a nation-wide radio advertising campaign urging producers to vote for candidates who support the board. Regina-area grain farmer Bill Gehl, chair of the CWB Alliance, said the group’s members understand the critical importance of […] Read more
