A spokesperson for CN Rail confirms that due to “adjusting its resources to demand,” CN has laid off approximately 1,600, including managers, office employees, and unionized rail workers . Those in a range of positions within the CN Rail network both in Canada and the U.S. will lose their job. According to CN, the layoffs… Read More
The Teamsters union that represents roughly 3,000 members of the Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) at Canadian National Railway Company (CN) says workers may be going on strike as soon as November. In September, conductors, train- and yard-workers voted 99.2 per cent in favour of strike action over its collective agreement that expired near the end… Read More
Those in the railway business are already starting to prepare for the winter months that lie ahead. As snowstorms hit parts of the Prairies in the last few weeks. some have wondered if that would put a strain on the movement of grain. David Przednowek, director of sales and marketing for CN Rail, says these… Read More
Not only has the weather this spring affected farmers’ ability to get crops in the ground, but it has also created situations where ag suppliers have products that did not make it to the field for application. A common question is, how do I manage my storage of polyphosphates? Here are a few things to… Read More
We are less than six months away from new federal livestock transportation regulations coming into force, and significant clarification is still needed surrounding the implementation of the rules. The existing rules for livestock transport within Canada have been overhauled from all sides, including: the angle of loading ramps, hours allowed in transit, restrictions on movement… Read More
A high throughput grain elevator will be up and running at High Level, Alta. by roughly this time next year, says Richardson Pioneer. The company plans to replace the old 6,500 metric tonne wooden crib elevator with a modern one that can handle 32,000 metric tonnes of storage space and will be capable of loading… Read More
Viterra has announced plans to purchase ILTA Grain Inc.’s processing facility at Belle Plaine, Sask., by the end of August. Belle Plaine is one of six locations ILTA Grain has in Saskatchewan. The company recently announced it had entered creditor protection. “We are pleased to be working towards integrating this high quality facility into our… Read More
Agriculture in Alberta is getting faster, smarter and more efficient. From fully automated milking machines to GPS navigation on 60-foot combines, we’ve come a long way. But one thing that hasn’t changed is the impact energy prices have on your bottom line. Your equipment may be more efficient, but a lot of your operating costs… Read More
Despite growing concerns for the B.C. economy and rising global trade tensions, the Port of Vancouver has shipped an increased amount of commodities in the first half of 2019. This news is in addition to strong agricultural commodity shipments reported by both CN Rail and CP Rail last week. Pulse crop exports were up significantly… Read More
In an effort to ensure livestock are being cared for during transport, Ontario-based Transport Genie has partnered with the Canadian Animal Health Coalition (CAHC) to research best practises on a national scale. Over two years CAHC will test Transport Genie’s innovative smart-sensor technology in real-world conditions, with help from researchers at the University of Guelph,… Read More
Eastern Ontario’s Port of Johnstown will see a $10.4 million infrastructure renewal and expansion to capitalize on growing and emerging markets for Canadian soybean, wheat and corn, and relieve inefficiencies and bottlenecks currently experienced at the port. The federal government will foot $4.8 million of the bill through the National Trade Corridors Fund (NTCF) to… Read More
Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) and Canadian National Railway (CN) are reporting record breaking years for grain and grain product movement. CP moves 26.8MMT For the crop year ending July 31, 2019, Canadian Pacific (CP) moved a record 26.8 million metric tonnes (MMT) of Canadian grain and grain product. It’s a number that surpasses the company’s… Read More
With consolidation, mergers, and change at the agri-business level comes adaptation and change at the grower level, too. For BASF, a company that has taken on major brands, such as Invigor and Liberty, stemming from the Bayer/Monsanto deal, sorting out the logistics of getting an expanded product portfolio to growers has been a significant undertaking…. Read More
After ice blocked many ships from reaching ports in April, the latest numbers show that cargo shipments via the St. Lawrence Seaway rebounded in May. According to The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, shipments from March 22 to May 31 totalled 8.3 million metric tons, equaling last year’s performance. Tim Heney, CEO of Thunder Bay… Read More
As of the end of May, Canadian Pacific (CP) moved 22.5 million metric tonnes (MMT) of Canadian grain and grain products since the start of the 2018-2019 crop year, according to a news release. “Since August of last year, we have moved approximately 500,000 metric tonnes more grain than ever before, bettering our record at… Read More