Grain silo and train

Deadlines loom for grain-monitoring programs

Associations say tracking railway performance must continue

Grain farmers and shippers have their eye on a couple of other deadlines. The federal government’s grain monitor’s contract ends in July 2017, while federal funding that helps the Ag Transport Coalition track railway performance ends in March 2017. “We need the data and so does the government so we can say, ‘Here’s what we

Railway rate deregulation arguments don’t add up, skeptics say

Railway rate deregulation arguments don’t add up, skeptics say

Competitive markets work, but the key is competition and that’s lacking in Canada’s rail sector

Consensus is rare in western Canadian grain transportation policy. That’s why when two economists who have spent decades sparring over contentious issues actually agree, people take notice. The sky didn’t fall, as Paul Earl joked it might, after admitting at a recent Winnipeg meeting that he is in agreement with University of Saskatchewan agricultural economist


John De Pape discussed the cash grain price service he is working on for the Alberta Wheat Commission during the Keystone Agricultural Producers’ General Council meeting in April.

Cash grain price service up and running

More information is coming

Economists agree key to a successful open grain market is, well, openness, which includes easy access to accurate market information such as cash prices. To that end the Alberta Wheat Commission (AWC) launched the first phase of its free, new web-based Crop Data and Price Reporting initiative Sept. 8. Price & Data Quotes (PDQ) aims

grain truck

Canola growers urged to be smart: don’t use Clever (quinclorac) until importers set MRLs

Those who have sprayed canola with the herbicide need to inform buyers at delivery time

The Canola Council of Canada is warning growers that using the newly released herbicide called Clever on their canola crops this year might not be a smart idea. That’s because Japan, one of Canada’s biggest canola customers, has not yet established a maximum residue level (MRL) for the active ingredient, quinclorac, which means all grain


grain cars at terminal

NFU misses mark on the cause of 2013-14 grain backlog

Wheat board co-ordination can’t overcome insufficient system capacity

The National Farmers Union (NFU) has a well-deserved reputation for doing sound analytical work. That’s why I was disappointed in its opinion piece published in the Manitoba Co-operator June 17. The NFU contends G3, the company taking over CWB — the remnants of the old wheat board — is planning to build a grain terminal

Dave Hatcher

New interim wheat class coming for Faller, Prosper, Elgin-ND

Market potential will be studied before its made permanent. In the meantime the CGC will strengthen the quality specifications for the CWRS and CPSR classes

Changes are coming to Western Canada’s milling wheat classes along with some additional study and more industry feedback, the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) announced May 8. After consulting the grain sector earlier this year the CGC has decided to introduce a new interim milling wheat class to take effect Aug. 1 and continue until at


John De Pape

Clock ticking for company co-operation on grain price transparency

Gerry Ritz wants information posted starting Aug. 1 and John De Pape is confident the target can be met

John De Pape is trying to get all Prairie grain companies to give him their prices so he can post regional averages starting Aug. 1, but if they don’t the federal government might have to force them to. “It’s a stick the (agriculture) minister (Gerry Ritz) has,” De Pape, president of FARMCO, told the Keystone

CWB building

Mixed reaction to sale details: some like it not, some like it sold

Opponents say the lack of farmer control and foreign ownership is offensive while others are glad the deal is done

The Friends of the Canadian Wheat Board (FCWB) and National Farmers Union and federal NDP oppose the sale. “This was just another step in the largest transfer of wealth away from farmers in the history of this country,” said FCWB chair Stewart Wells who farms at Swift Current, Sask., and served as an elected wheat


crop spraying

Check inputs to ensure they’re customer approved

Manipulator, a plant growth regulator recently registered for wheat in Canada, 
hasn’t been approved in the United States yet

End-users and regulators are literally putting your grain under the microscope, measuring residues in the parts per trillion. That puts the onus on farmers to deliver grain that meets their standards or risk rejection. So, before applying inputs farmers should consult agri-retailers and grain buyers about what products markets are accepting and follow label directions

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Transport Minister Lisa Raitt

Ottawa drops minimum rail shipping order

Permanent 
improvements to grain transportation must come from the Canada Transportation Act review

The federal government’s order-in-council requiring the two major railways to ship a minimum amount of grain has expired, but can be reinstated if required, says Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. The first order last March compelled the railways to ship one million tonnes in total per week or face a fine of up to $100,000 a