Saskatchewan Wheat Pool and its subsidiary AgPro Grain say their $270 million project to build 22 high-throughput elevators is expected to be completed a year ahead of schedule.
All the facilities are expected to be complete by July 31, 2000.
A company news release said construction is under way at 17 of the 22 facilities across Western Canada. This summer, the pool will open three locations in Saskatchewan – Regina East, Weyburn and Melfort. The majority of the facilities will be completed and in operation within the next 14 to 18 months.
The new facilities are 10 to 12 times larger than traditional wooden elevators and are designed to have superior grain handling, cleaning and drying as well as farm supplies and services.
Read Also
Ag In Motion 2025 draws strong attendance, more international visitors
Three clear days meant Ag in Motion 2025 saw strong attendance and a significant increase in international visitors at the large Saskatchewan outdoor farm show.
“Our goals are to be the low-cost grain handler in Western Canada and to grow our existing market share from 31 to 40 percent,” said Don Loewen, the pool’s chief executive officer.
“We’ve advanced the timetable of this project to respond to increased competition and deregulation within the industry and to ensure that we reach these goals as soon as possible.”
The pool hopes the new facilities will also help it increase its farm supply business in Alberta and Manitoba.
Sales and marketing representatives have begun to develop business relationships with producers in Alberta and Manitoba.
To keep up with construction plans, the pool has stepped up its schedule for employee training, marketing and operational activities, and its development of information technology systems.
CN Rail signs U.S. deal
Saskatoon newsroom
CN Rail has signed an agreement with Wisconsin Central Transportation Corp. to have CN bulk commodity trains hauled by WC between Superior, Wis., and Chicago.
The agreement expands an existing relationship where WC hauls intermodal trains for CN in the Superior-Chicago corridor.
The agreement calls for faster running time, and includes a performance-based fee structure. It also provides for WC to make capacity improvements on the Superior-Chicago corridor.
Rural priorities set
Saskatoon newsroom
A federally funded program designed to foster development in rural areas has fine-tuned its priorities in Western Canada.
The four western adaptation councils established under the Canadian Adaptation and Rural Development Fund met recently to discuss their focus.
CARD is a $240 million, four-year fund established in the 1995 budget.
The four industry-led councils decided to concentrate on five areas: Analyzing and evaluating policy issues and concerns affecting western food production and processing; co-ordination of public awareness efforts on agriculture; determining the future of the councils in delivering programs; sharing information among the councils; building links from raw production to finished products; and livestock production.
To get more information contact the nearest Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration office.
Pioneer builds in Sask.
Pioneer Grain news release
Pioneer Grain is building a new farm service centre at Hamlin, Sask. that should be open in late 1999.
The $10 million project is located seven kilometres north of North Battleford on Highway 4. It has access to truck traffic for several directions and main-line CN Rail service.
It will consist of an 18,000-tonne capacity high-throughput elevator, and provide a wide range of crop input services including fertilizer blending, both liquid and dry fertilizer storage, crop protection products, seed sales and service.
The elevator will have initial rail car siding capacity of 52 cars, expandable to 104. In addition it will feature high capacity drying and cleaning equipment for grains and oilseeds.
Events are moving rapidly in the grain transportation system and the company is responding aggressively, says Bruce Sobkow, vice-president of Pioneer’s country operations.
Pioneer Grain is owned by James Richardson International Ltd. and has been serving prairie producers since 1913.
Asian connection closing
Saskatoon newsroom
The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada closed its Regina office June 30.
The foundation worked to build links between Saskatchewan and Asia Pacific. The Saskatchewan government has discontinued its financial support.
Foundation inquiries will now be handled by the Vancouver office. The address is 666-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3E1, phone 604-684-5986 and internet web address is www.apfc.ca.
Pig firm changes name
Saskatoon newsroom
National Pig Development Canada, with headquarters in Regina, has a new name. It will now be called Genex Swine Group.
The company announced recently it had ended its ties with NPD-PIC United Kingdom.
Genex is a swine genetics company, providing breeding stock to barns across Canada.
