WINNIPEG — Grain companies aren’t likely going to be pulling much grain from southeastern Saskatchewan because of all the flooding there, according to a provincial farm official.
Norm Hall, president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan, says logistics are “a nightmare” right now because of the recent wet weather. Bridges are out, culverts plugged and many roads impassable or washed out just enough to make them unsafe.
“Guys can’t get out on the road, out of their yard, or to their bins,” he said.
Hauling grain right now is likely not a big focus for a lot of farmers, but Hall said just getting fieldwork done or heading to town is an ordeal.
Read Also
Louis Dreyfus posts higher volumes, lower profits in first half
Agricultural commodity merchant Louis Dreyfus Company recorded a rise in first-half sales, supported by higher volumes shipped, but weaker prices for most crops pushed down profits, it said on Friday.
“If you do get on the road, sometimes you just about double your mileage to get where you’re going because of the detours that are set up.”
He cites highway 16 near Wynyard as one example.
The road is currently washed out, and Hall said it’s a 50 kilometre detour around it.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson from Saskatchewan Highways confirmed special allowances are being made for heavy trucks in the area.
In some cases, they are being directed one way while light traffic is being sent another.
Twenty-three highways are closed while several more have water on them, although traffic is being allowed through.
The Trans-Canada Highway was temporarily closed but has now been re-opened.
A rail line also had to be repaired due to heavy water flows, which required heavy equipment to be brought in.
“That’s repaired and up and running again, but they’re working on fixing the other washouts now, so that slowed things down for a 36 or 72 hour period,” said Hall.
However, he said the region will eventually recover and grain will flow normally.
He points out that high water levels have been a frequent occurrence over the past five years.
“The roads will recover and there shouldn’t be any long-term effects on them. We just need that bright yellow thing in the sky to shine.”
According to the Manitoba government, 72 sections of provincial roads have been impacted by rainfall there and are either closed or marked with caution. That figure doesn’t include municipal roads.
