SASKATOON – It could be quite a while before any more grain is delivered to country elevators in areas worst hit by last week’s flooding.
By the time the roads are dry enough for farmers to start hauling grain, their number one priority will be getting on to their fields. Local officials say road bans will remain in effect until the second or third week of May.
“Delivering grain is going to be pretty much a dead issue for a while,” said Michael Moors, assistant manager of the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool elevator at Langenburg.
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The extended road bans and delay in seeding should make for some long line-ups at elevators in June and July.
“We’re just going to get swamped,” said Kevin Platford, who works at the Cargill Ltd. elevator in Canora.
Five runs cancelled
CN Rail cancelled operations on five Saskatchewan train runs last weekend, due to water-covered tracks and washouts. CP Rail reported no disruptions to its regular service as of April 24.
Canadian Wheat Board spokesperson Patty Rosher said the delivery and shipping problems caused by the flooding are fairly localized and won’t have a significant effect on the board’s overall export program.
