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March 04, 2014

04/03/2014: Grain backlog gains political support in Canada

Lawmakers in Saskatchewan, Canada have adopted polices to support the federal government if it brings in emergency legislation to deal with a grain transportation backlog that has been hurting farmers.

Farm groups in Western Canada have given the federal government some ideas on how to get the clogged grain transportation system back on track.
“We’re definitively saying the federal government should look at all of its legislative options,” says Premier Brad Wall on Monday.

More on this story and related items here on Global News ...

Meanwhile grain railway cars sit near the Viterra Inc Grain Terminal as Canada’s grain-supply boom is turning into a bust for farmers: Record harvests and railroad logjams make sales almost impossible.

A Bloomberg Report asks us to consider Dennis Gallant, 76. He has yet to collect one cent on the wheat, canola, barley and oats harvested last year on the 1000-acre farm in Warren, Manitoba, he has run since 1960. He has called the local grain elevator every 10 days since October. The answer since is always the same. No thanks. We’re full.

“This is crazy,” said Gallant, who normally has unloaded half his crop by March. The delays mean Can$200,000 (US$180,000) in lost revenue as prices slumped and Gallant says he needs a Can$100,000 loan to cover expenses.



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