For prairie grain farmers, diversification opportunities can come in many different shapes and sizes — everything from livestock production and value-added processing to custom combining or agri-tourism. For Somerville Farms at Eatonia, Sask., diversification meant climbing behind the wheel of a truck and hitting the highway — something members of the Somerville family have been […] Read more
Author Archives
More groups weigh in on seed royalty proposal
The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association says it’s in favour of paying royalties on farm-saved seed if it means better seed products for prairie farmers. “As farmers, we don’t feel the status quo is good enough…,” said WCWGA president Levi Wood. “(We) want improvements including more investment, innovation and competition. “Competition is good, so if […] Read more
NFU vows to fight seed royalty proposal
The National Farmers Union is not happy with what it considers an unacceptable level of corporate influence in the Canadian seed sector. The organization last week voiced its strong opposition to the concept of charging royalties on farm saved seed. “This is absolutely and utterly wrong,” said Manitoba farmer Ian Robson, who spoke at an […] Read more
Local ownership called key for farmer-owned terminals
The number of independent, farmer-owned grain terminals in Western Canada has been in a state of slow decline over the past decade or so. However, those that remain still hold a trump card: local ownership and close connections with grassroots farmers. Local leadership also means these terminals are often more adept at identifying new business […] Read more
Viterra to buy Gardiner Dam Terminal
One of the few remaining farmer-owned grain elevators in Western Canada has struck a deal to sell its assets to Viterra. In a Nov. 16 news release, Gardiner Dam Terminal, based at Strongfield, Sask., says it has entered into an agreement to sell a 50 percent interest in GDT along with its wholly owned subsidiary, […] Read more
Sask. short-line railway expands into grain buying
Great Western Railway Ltd. is Saskatchewan’s newest grain dealer. The short-line railway has formed an affiliated company — Great Western Commodities Ltd. — which will buy grain from producers in southern Saskatchewan and sell to buyers in Canada, the United States and overseas. GWR operates on more than 700 kilometres of railway in southwestern Saskatchewan. It does […] Read more
Improvements at elevators hasten grain movement: CP
Recent investments in the grain handling and railway sectors are having a positive impact on Western Canada’s ability to move grain quickly and efficiently. Earlier this month, Calgary-based Canadian Pacific Railway announced that it has set yet another monthly record for the movement of western Canadian grain and grain products. In October, the company moved […] Read more
Viterra to buy Gardiner Dam Terminal
One of the few remaining farmer-owned grain elevators in Western Canada has struck a deal to sell its assets to Viterra. In a Nov. 16 news release, Gardiner Dam Terminal, based at Strongfield, Sask., says it has entered into an agreement to sell a 50 percent interest in GDT along with its wholly owned subsidiary, […] Read more
Revenue cap gets adjustment
The Canadian Transportation Agency has recalculated the amount of revenue Canada’s major railways can earn from hauling western Canadian grain in 2018-19. In a document dated Oct. 25, the CTA confirmed that the Volume Related Composite Price Index (VRCPI) has been adjusted to 1.4114 at Canadian National Railway and 1.4608 at Canadian Pacific Railway. Earlier […] Read more
Seed royalty meetings to start next week
Ottawa is gathering feedback into a proposal to charge royalties on farm-saved seed every time it is used to grow a crop
The federal government has released the dates and locations of consultation meetings where the controversial issue of farm-saved seed royalties will be discussed. The first of three provincial meetings on the Prairies will be held Nov. 16 at the Delta Hotel in Winnipeg. Subsequent meetings will be held: Nov. 30 at Ottawa’s Hilton Garden Inn […] Read more
