Trucking Industry Key To The Supply Chain

Apr 06, 2020

The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association is joining others in the agriculture sector in acknowledging the work and effort of those involved in the trucking industry for the work they do especially during COVID 19.

Stephen Vandervalk is the Alberta Vice President for the Wheat Growers and says truckers are key to keeping our supply chain moving.

"Without them, you want to see a country come to a standstill and have total absolute chaos, stop the trucking industry. So, we need to really show how important that is, and that starts from the farm, all the way to the grocery shelves."

He notes during COVID 19 some people have been able to stay home and do their job but that’s not an option for truckers.

He says it's imperative that truckers have access to the basic essentials like food and washrooms while doing their job.

"For the trucking industry, they have to get products from point A to point B. Otherwise, those shelves are empty and then you want to talk about what a big disaster is having empty shelves at a grocery store."

The Federal Government declared Agriculture and Agri-Food as an essential service; road transport is also considered an essential service.

The Government of Saskatchewan temporarily modified its hours of service regulations last week for commercial truckers providing direct assistance to emergency relief efforts during the response to COVID 19.

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Video: Winter Service Inspections for John Deere Equipment - The FarmCast Ep64

The FarmCast, host Troy Randall speaks with Doug Luedke, Vice President of Service, and Davin Peterson, Executive Vice President of Aftermarket at 21st Century Equipment, to discuss the importance of proactive service and how it helps farmers reduce downtime during their busiest seasons. The conversation focuses on the Winter Service Inspection Program, a comprehensive approach designed to keep equipment running at peak performance and limit costly in-season breakdowns through preventative maintenance and expert technician support.

Doug and Devin explain how 21st Century Equipment’s service teams have evolved to meet the needs of today’s connected machines. With more technology and data integrated into modern equipment, technicians now play a vital role in both mechanical repairs and precision ag support. Through advanced diagnostics, machine monitoring, and John Deere’s Expert Alerts, they can identify and address potential issues before they become major problems—saving customers valuable time, money, and frustration.

Throughout the discussion, the team shares real-world success stories demonstrating how proactive inspections and customer-focused service help maximize uptime and efficiency for every operation. Whether it’s a large tractor, combine, or small mower, the goal remains the same: to provide trusted, reliable support that helps farmers and landowners stay productive and confident in their equipment year-round.