Western Grain Elevator Association Archives - Page 4 of 16

The Port of Prince Rupert is an important exporter of western Canadian grain and is increasing its capacity to ship out crops in containers.

Ag container capacity expanding at Prince Rupert

Port officials met with grain industry officials in Winnipeg this fall

By Allan Dawson November 13, 2018

When it comes to exporting western Canadian grain the Port of Vancouver stands out, but the Port of Prince Rupert, almost 1,500 km to the north, has lots to offer too. That’s the message Prince Rupert officials delivered at a reception with grain trade and Manitoba government representatives in Winnipeg Sept. 26. “There’s still latent

Grain shippers say it’s taking some time to bring all the provisions of the new transportation law into effect, but they’re not concerned.

News, Other

Transport regulation changes unused

It’s partly because grain is moving well, but it’s also taking time to develop level-of-service agreements

By Allan Dawson October 29, 2018

Most of the provisions designed to improve rail service for grain in the Transportation Modernization Act (Bill C-49), which became law five months ago this week, have yet to take effect. But that’s neither a surprise nor a disappointment to Wade Sobkowich, executive director of the Western Grain Elevator Association (WGEA), which pushed hard for

News

Grain commission changes recommended by Agri-Food Table report

It claims changes to wheat class standards will make Canada more competitive

By Allan Dawson October 4, 2018

Changes to how the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) regulates Canada’s grain industry are needed to ensure industry competitiveness, an Agri-Food Economic Strategy Table report concludes. To that end the report recommends the CGC accredit private companies to do the CGC’s mandatory outward weighing and inspection. It also says the wheat class system “needs to take

Dried Ear of Cereal crop in studio isolated against white background.

Comment, Other

Comment: Limit Canadian Grain Commission to oversight role

The vast majority of buyers seek third-party certification these days

By Wade Sobkowich September 25, 2018

The retention of the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) surplus by the CGC itself raises a host of questions on the organization’s purpose, services and sources of funding. The CGC’s budget is covered through user fees paid by the farmer through grain companies. It is important to note that industry has no say in the establishment

Canadian Pacific is promising slow and steady growth in its grain-hauling capacity.

News, Other

CP’s new grain VP walked in grain shippers’ shoes

Joan Hardy was in charge of grain transportation at Richardson International before becoming a senior railway executive

By Allan Dawson September 18, 2018

Joan Hardy knows how vital reliable rail service is to grain shippers because she’s been one. Hardy, who became CP Rail’s vice-president of sales and marketing for grain and fertilizer April 1, was for 12 years before that Richardson International’s vice-president of transportation. Before that she worked 21 years for CN Rail, in various roles,

Comment/Feedback, Opinion

Comment: A competitive concern

Too-high fees from the grain industry’s key regulator hurt the entire industry

By Wade Sobkowich September 4, 2018

In the August 16 edition of the Manitoba Co-operator, Allan Dawson’s article contains quotes from the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) about why a fee reduction wasn’t part of its decision for the surplus. The CGC does not believe a reduction would be passed through grain handlers to farmers, and this is positioned as a major

Canada's grain export terminals can handle almost 19,000 cars a week, elevators say, but the rails say they'll deliver 8,000 a week combined in winter and 11,000 the rest of the year.

Crops, News

Rail car shortfalls drag on sales, grain companies say

Grain companies say they can handle twice the number of rail cars they’re getting

By Allan Dawson August 30, 2018

Western Canada’s major grain companies say car shortfalls are seriously hampering their ability to make sales. In fact, they say they can handle twice as many rail cars during the first half of the crop year than what the railways intend to supply. “We don’t expect the railways to gear up to provide 18,750 rail

Last crop year Canada exported 70,000 tonnes of wheat and 135,000 tonnes of barley to Saudi Arabia.

Cereals, News

Saudi sanctions add to market access woes

The list of customers trying to block Canadian grain is a growing concern to the industry

By Allan Dawson August 22, 2018

Saudi Arabia isn’t a big Canadian grain customer, but Canada’s grain sector isn’t happy about losing access to it in the wake of a diplomatic spat sparked by Canada’s criticism of Saudi Arabia’s poor human rights record. “I think we really do need to see a focus from all government agencies and departments that they

The Canadian Grain Commission building in Winnipeg.

News

Grain Commission fees plan meets mixed reaction

Some say excess fees should be refunded, others say  they’ll never find their way back to farmers

By Allan Dawson August 9, 2018

Western Canada’s grain industry is divided over how the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) wants to use $90 million in surplus service fees. They were ultimately collected from farmers following fee increases ordered by the Harper government in 2013 to make the CGC self-sufficient. Some groups want the money returned to farmers through reduced CGC fees,

Cereals, News, Other

Delivery deadline looms as wheat classes change

Twenty-five CWRS and four CPSR wheats are going to the CNHR  class Aug. 1

By Allan Dawson June 14, 2018

Western Canadian farmers should deliver certain wheat varieties before July 31 or risk getting a lower price. Starting Aug. 1, 25 wheats in the Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) class and four in Canada Prairie Spring Red (CPSR), move to the Canada Northern Hard Red (CNHR) class (see variety list further down). The change, aimed

Daily Network News

CFIA updates plant protection regulations

U.S. grains: Corn, wheat ease after gains driven by Black Sea jitters

CBOT Weekly: Watching for Chinese soybean purchases

Tag Archives Western Grain Elevator Association