Unprecedented Rail Disruption to Significantly Impact Canola Farmers

Aug 23, 2024

As canola farmers head out to begin harvesting their crops, Canada's two railways are set to halt all operations, crippling grain movement and severely restricting farmers' ability to market those crops. Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA), along with other groups, is calling on the government to take steps that would limit the impact on farmers, the nation's economy, and Canada's global reputation.

“Concurrent labour disputes at both CN and CPKC are unprecedented, and farmers are already experiencing a slowdown in grain deliveries even before a strike or lockout takes effect," says Roger Chevraux, Chair of CCGA. “We face weather risk and market disruptions, but a complete shutdown of our grain handling infrastructure is an avoidable risk that farmers should not be dealing with at harvest."

Without rail service, the grain handling system quickly backs up. Elevators and canola processing plants reach capacity and stop accepting grain deliveries and, in turn, farmers lose the ability to sell their canola and manage their business cash flow needs. Beyond the farmgate, these disruptions negatively impact Canadian agriculture's ability to supply international customers and erode Canada's reputation as a reliable supplier in the global market.

Research shows that the daily flow of grains and oilseeds through Canada's rail system is valued at over $43 million per day in August, rising to more than $50 million per day in September. “These numbers show how significant the negative economic impact to farms will be," says Rick White, President & CEO at CCGA. “A strike on one railway is a crisis. A strike on both railways is unfathomable and is sure to damage Canadian farmers' livelihoods."

CCGA has sent a letter to Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Labour and Seniors, highlighting the seriousness of the situation and asking for immediate action to resolve it. In addition, StopTheStrike, an information and letter writing campaign initiated by agriculture groups, urges Minister MacKinnon to use section 107 of the Canadian Labour Code to help the parties reach an agreement under binding arbitration and suspend the ability for lockouts or strikes pending an agreement.

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Video: Winter Canola Trial in Mississippi | Can It Work for Double Cropping? | Pioneer Agronomy

Can winter canola open new opportunities for growers in the Mid-South? In this agronomy update from Noxubee County, Mississippi, Pioneer agronomist Gus Eifling shares an early look at a first-year winter canola trial and what farmers are learning from the field.

Planted in late October on 30-inch rows, the crop is now entering the bloom stage and progressing quickly. In this video, we walk through current field conditions, fertility management, and how timing could make this crop a valuable option for double-cropping soybeans or cotton.

If harvest timing lines up with early May, growers may be able to transition directly into another crop during ideal planting windows. Ongoing field trials will help determine whether canola could become a viable rotational option for the region.

Watch for:

How winter canola is performing in its first season in this Mississippi field

Why growers chose 30-inch rows for this trial

What the crop looks like as it moves from bolting into bloom

Fertility strategy, including nitrogen and sulfur applications

How canola harvest timing could enable double-cropping with soybeans or cotton

Upcoming trials comparing soybeans after canola vs. traditional planting

As more growers look for ways to maximize acres and diversify rotations, experiments like this help determine what new crops might fit into existing systems.