WINNIPEG — A prolonged cold snap loosened its grip on the Prairies last week, fueling hopes farmers will crank up the augers and deliver some grain.
“It’s minus 13 and the sun is shining — things are going to pick up now,” said Redvers elevator agent Brad Nord late last week. “January has been very very slow as far as hauling goes.”
The Canadian Wheat Board issued a press release last week urging farmers to take advantage of delivery calls and quotas so sales commitments can be met.
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“Really the news is good,” said spokesperson Louise Riopel. “It means grain is moving again.”
But she said there was growing concern the cold spell that sent temperatures into the polar depths since late December would keep grain out of the system –Êjeopardizing the board’s export program.
While not record breaking, Environment Canada said early January was unusually cold across the Prairies. “It’s been a sustained cold versus a few record cold days,” said climatologist James Cummine.
While temperatures stayed in the minus 30 range, it became almost impossible for farmers to move grain. Aside from running the risk of frost-bite, hydraulics won’t work, hoists don’t lift and equipment becomes too stiff to move. “Oil just won’t flow when it gets to 40 below,” said Elgin, Man. farmer Fred King. “It’s very tough on equipment.”
King was at his local elevator last week but he wasn’t delivering grain. “I have a different problem. The Canadian Wheat Board is calling for wheat I don’t have,” he said. “I haven’t moved a bushel all fall.”
Riopel agreed delivery opportunities for lower grades of wheat are still scant, and there are some areas where elevators are plugged.
“There are isolated instances where the elevators are full, but for the most part there is a lot of space,” she said.
Country elevator space was averaging 35 percent last week. Normal for this time of year is about 20 percent, said Riopel.
Grain industry targets for unloads at the west coast have been set at 5,700 rail cars per week for January and up to 5,900 cars for February. That’s up from 4,250 unloads per week in early December.
