CFA attends meeting with Ministers of Transport and Agriculture

Oct 21, 2016

Grain transportation is a key issue for farmers this harvest season

By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) was one of about 19 farm organizations that met with Minister of Transport Marc Garneau and Minister of Agriculture Lawrence MacAulay to discuss issues relating to grain transportation.

Farmers are concerned that with an extremely large crop on the horizon, there could be a bottlenecking when it comes to transporting grain.

CFA says the meeting was a good way to bring concerns to the forefront.

“We felt that the meeting was a good first step in strengthening relationships between Transport Canada and farm groups,” Ron Bennett, CFA president, said in a release. “Our views and concerns were made clear, and were echoed by a number of other western grain organizations also in attendance.”

Daniel Stein//iStock/Getty Images Plus

Some groups feel that when push comes to shove, farmers will be taken care of, as long as the railways do their part too.

“I don’t actually think it will be a problem,” Norm Hall, president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan, told CKOM. “CN is usually on time. CP is a concern because they’re usually aren’t on time. If CP isn’t moving the grain on time, it affects the bottom line for farmers.”

Ministers Garneau and MacAulay said they understand the importance of Canada’s grain sector and that reliable rail transportation helps farmers contribute to the economy.

Video: Dr. Emerson Nafziger: Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates for Corn

The Crop Science Podcast Show, Dr. Emerson Nafziger from the University of Illinois breaks down decades of nitrogen research. From the evolution of N rate guidelines to how soil health and hybrid genetics influence nitrogen use efficiency, this conversation unpacks the science behind smarter fertilization. Improving how we set nitrogen fertilizer rates for rainfed corn is a key focus. Discover why the MRTN model matters more than ever, and how shifting mindsets and better data can boost yields and environmental outcomes. Tune in now on all major platforms!

"The nitrogen that comes from soil mineralization is the first nitrogen the plant sees, and its role is underestimated."

Meet the guest:

Dr. Emerson Nafziger is Professor Emeritus of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with degrees in agronomy from Ohio State, Purdue, and Illinois. His research has focused on nitrogen rate strategies and crop productivity. He co-developed the Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN) model, which is widely used across the Midwest. His research spans N response trials, hybrid interactions, crop rotation effects, and yield stability.