OmniTrax To Cease Shipping Grain At Port Of Churchill

Manitoba farmers may have difficulties with grain transportation again this year, after it was revealed this week that grain will no longer be shipped out of the Port of Churchill.

 

Reports state that Denver-based OmniTrax, which operates the port, has laid off as many as 40 employees, with more pink slips possibly on the way in the coming days.

 

Elden Boon is the president of the Hudson Bay Route Association, an advocacy group that promotes continued shipments through the Port of Churchill.

 

He says he was "blindsighted" by the news.

 

"OmniTrax had given no indication that this kind of thing was going to take place," explained Boon. "We had met with them in early July. We had concerns with the low tonnage last year and we just wanted to make sure that wasn't a repeat this year and they assured us that the shipments were going to take place. There was actually some new customers that had been in contact with them pertaining to shipments through the port.

 

Video: Spring Planting Prep Just Got Serious… We NEED This!

Getting closer to planting season means one thing… it’s time to get EVERYTHING ready.

Today didn’t go exactly as planned—we thought we’d be hauling potatoes again, but instead we spent the day digging equipment out of the cellar, hooking up the grain drill, and getting tractors ready to roll. With wheat planting just around the corner, every piece of equipment matters.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a normal day without a few problems… dead batteries, hydraulic issues, and a truck tire that absolutely refused to cooperate. We tried everything—jump packs, bead bazooka, ratchet straps… and eventually had to bring out the “big guns” just to get things moving again.

But that’s farm life—adapt, fix, and keep moving forward.

We’re getting close to go-time. Wheat seed is coming soon, and planting season is right around the corner