Dwayne Klassen

(Resource News International) — Canada’s canola export pace for the 2008-09 marketing year, which began Aug. 1 and ends July 31, 2009, has been slow to heat up as end-users bide their time waiting for more information on the size and quality of the Canadian crop, market participants said. “There are going to be some […] Read more

(Resource News International) — Workers at Viterra’s grain terminal at Balgonie, Sask., established their first picket line early Thursday in what their union calls a bid to force the company back into productive collective bargaining. The Grain Services Union (GSU) represents Viterra’s estimated 650 country elevator operators and maintenance employees as well as 200 workers […] Read more

(Resource News International) — Viterra’s estimated 650 unionized country elevator operation and maintenance employees in Saskatchewan are planning to initiate job action against the company within the next couple of days if there is no new collective bargaining agreement reached. “At a meeting held last week, an update on the whole situation was provided to […] Read more

(Resource News International) — The late development of crops in Alberta continues to keep most harvest operations at bay, but progress was being made in some areas, according to a crop specialist with the provincial Ag-Info Centre. Crop development was estimated at a week to 10 days behind normal. “Precipitation during the weekend slowed what […] Read more

(Resource News International) — Statistics Canada, in its release of crop production survey results last Friday, surprised the industry by increasing its 2007-08 production estimate for canola — not because of extra supply, but rather to avoid a negative ending stocks forecast, according to an official with the government agency. Statistics Canada, on Aug. 22, […] Read more

(Resource News International) — Weather conditions in Alberta have helped speed up development of various crops, but crop growth remains about a week behind average, according to a provincial crop specialist. “Crops were easily seven to 10 days behind in development, but some improvement in the weather has allowed crops to only be about five […] Read more

(Resource News International) — Strike action by unionized employees at the Regina head office of Canada’s largest grain handler continued Tuesday, a Viterra spokesperson confirmed. “It’s business as usual,” the spokesperson said, not wanting any name to be used. “Management personnel are filling in for the employees who are striking at the Regina office.” The […] Read more

(Resource News International) — Unionized employees at the head office of Canada’s largest grain handler remain on strike in retaliation to the company’s plan to initiate rotating lockouts in order to force a new labour contract, a Grain Services Union official said Friday. “Viterra, so far, has not locked out any unionized employees at its […] Read more

(Resource News International) — The absence of rainfall in Alberta has hindered development in various crops, according to a provincial crop specialist. “The lack of rain has really changed what was seen as a very promising crop,” said Doon Pauly, a crop specialist with the Alberta Ag-Info Centre in Stettler, on Tuesday. The weather outlooks […] Read more