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(Alice McFarlane/farmnewsNOW Staff)
Grain Movement

Farm group applauds rail companies

Sep 3, 2019 | 4:51 PM

A prairie group that represents wheat farmers is praising rail companies on shipping numbers.

The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association (WCWGA) said Canadian Pacific Rail and Canadian National Rail filed their performance reports to July 31, as well as their 2019 – 2020 grain plan.

WCWGA Saskatchewan Director Daryl Fransoo said both companies should be commended for the record grain hauls in the past year.

“In spite of the agriculture trade disputes that we have around the world, which have suppressed prices, the volume of grain is substantial,” Fransoo said. “Assuring our export markets that we can move our high-quality grain is crucial to our ongoing success.”

Grain movement from the past years faced many different challenges and the rail companies were often criticized. Fransoo said some of those issue were addressed through Bill C-49, which received royal assent in May 2018.

WCWGA Manitoba Director William Pallister said the outcome of the legislation has provided greater accountability.

“Seeing these levels of grain movement gives growers cautious optimism as we move into harvest and plan for the next growing season. We hope that the efficiencies gained will lead to further investment in rolling stock and the infrastructure needed in order to continue matching the upward trend farmers have been achieving since gaining access to open grain markets.” Pallister said.

alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF

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